Method for providing information

ABSTRACT

A method includes: inputting information indicating power usage; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user ID and ii) a second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a second user ID in a prescribed period; generating a first conversion value by converting the differential value to a use time of an electric home appliance of a first type corresponding to the first user ID; generating a first electricity bill value by converting the difference value to an electricity bill; generating display data indicating that the first electricity bill value corresponds to the first conversion value; and a transmitting unit that transmits the display data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method for providing information, aninformation management system, and an information terminal device formanaging information related to usage of an electric home appliance inassociation with a user ID.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there are techniques for transmitting, to a clientaccessing an energy conservation supporting apparatus, response datacomparing data related to an operational status of an electricalappliance system that is a target for energy conservation support withdata related to an operational status of another electrical appliancesystem to be compared with the operational status of electricalappliance system that is the target for energy conservation support (forexample, refer to Patent Literature 1). Accordingly, the energyconservation supporting apparatus can provide an energy conservationadvice based on the comparison with an operational status of eachelectrical appliance in another electrical appliance system.

In addition, with respect to air conditioning devices, there aretechniques for aggregating usage data and performing statisticalprocessing in order to obtain at least one statistical value among anaverage value, a median value, and a standard deviation of usage data ofa plurality of air conditioning devices and to compare usage data ofspecific air conditioning devices (for example, refer to PatentLiterature 2). Accordingly, a user can objectively evaluate power usageof the user's own air conditioning device from a result of a comparativeevaluation between the air conditioning device and another airconditioning device. Moreover, Patent Literature 2 describes extractingand comparing air conditioning devices used by families with a samenumber of members, by people of the same age, or by people who reside inthe same area in order to eliminate differences in use environments andincrease comparison accuracy.

However, the conventional art described above require furtherimprovements.

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2010-218077 (paragraphs [0048] to [0054], paragraph [0058], FIG. 8, andthe like)

Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent No. 4134379 (paragraphs [0031] to[0036], FIG. 3, and the like)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one general aspect, the techniques disclosed here feature a methodincluding: inputting, via a network, information indicating power usagecorresponding to each of the plurality of user IDs; generating adifferential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to a first user ID among the plurality of user IDs in aprescribed period and ii) a second cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to a second user ID among the plurality of user IDs in asame period as the prescribed period; generating a first conversionvalue by converting the differential value to a use time of an electrichome appliance corresponding to a first type among electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID; generating a firstelectricity bill value by converting the differential value to anelectricity bill; generating display data indicating that the firstelectricity bill value corresponding to a difference between i) thefirst cumulative power usage corresponding to the first user ID and ii)the second cumulative power usage corresponding to the second user ID inthe prescribed period corresponds to the first conversion value that isgenerated by converting the differential value to the use time of theelectric home appliance corresponding to the first type; andtransmitting the display data to an information terminal devicecorresponding to the first user ID.

Accordingly, further improvements can be achieved.

These general and specific aspects may be implemented using a system, amethod, and a computer program, and any combination of systems, methods,and computer programs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an informationmanagement system according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a user terminalshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the server shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of power consumption data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of device use history stored in adevice use history database.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of user information stored in auser information database.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of power consumption historystored in a power consumption history database.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of reference power consumptionstored in a reference power consumption database.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processes of theinformation management system according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an outline of processes of theserver according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating details of a comparison targethousehold selection process according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating details of a first modification ofthe comparison target household selection process according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating details of a second modification ofthe comparison target household selection process according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating details of a device selectionprocess according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating details of an estimated use timecalculation process according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating details of a display datageneration process according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of display data that isgenerated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav according to the present first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of display data that isgenerated when power consumption P is equal to or lower than averagepower consumption Pav according to the present first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a first modification of display data thatis generated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav according to the present first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a second modification of display data thatis generated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav according to the present first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a first flow chart illustrating details of a modification ofthe display data generation process according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 23 is a second flow chart illustrating details of a modification ofthe display data generation process according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a third flow chart illustrating details of a modification ofthe display data generation process according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of display data including anelectricity bill corresponding to each of a plurality of electric homeappliances according to the present first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating details of a modification of thedevice selection process according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a software configuration of a serveraccording to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating details of an estimated use timecalculation process according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating details of a display datageneration process according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of display data that isgenerated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav and an estimated use time T is longer than a prescribedthreshold period Tth according to the present second embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart illustrating details of a modification of theestimated use time calculation process according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a software configuration of a server 2according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a non-selected device flagstored in a non-selected device database.

FIG. 34 is a first flow chart illustrating details of an estimated usetime calculation process according to the third embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 35 is a second flow chart illustrating details of the estimated usetime calculation process according to the third embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of display data that isgenerated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav and an estimated use time T is longer than a prescribedthreshold period Tth according to the present third embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a first flow chart illustrating details of a modification ofthe estimated use time calculation process according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 38 is a second flow chart illustrating details of a modification ofthe estimated use time calculation process according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(Story Before Inventing Aspect According to Present Disclosure)

According to Patent Literature 1 described above. an energy conservationsupporting apparatus transmits response data comparing data related toan operational status of an electrical appliance system that is a targetfor energy conservation support with data related to an operationalstatus of another electrical appliance system and provides energyconservation advice. In this case, an example of the energy conservationadvice may be “Use time of the air conditioner seems to increase duringthe night. Power consumption may be reduced by turning off the airconditioner when going to sleep” (refer to FIG. 11 in Patent Literature1).

In a similar manner, in Patent Literature 2, a center apparatus of asystem compares usage data of a plurality of air conditioning deviceswith usage data of a specific air conditioning device and provides anenergy conservation advice. In this case, an example of the energyconservation advice may be “The set temperature during cooler modeshould be slightly lowered” (refer to FIG. 3 in Patent Literature 2).

However, the apparatuses in both Patent Literature 1 and PatentLiterature 2 are limited to presenting comparison results. While a usercan recognize that the user's power usage is higher than power usage ofanother person based on the comparison result, there is a problem inthat the user is unable to realize the magnitude of a difference betweenthe user's power usage and the power usage of another person asindicated by the comparison result when applying the difference to theuser's everyday life.

For example, in Patent Literature 1, when power usage of an airconditioner of a specific user exceeds power usage of an air conditionerof second user during the night, an energy conservation advice based ona category corresponding to the degree of excess is presented to thespecific user. Therefore, when applied to the everyday life of thespecific user who is a target for energy conservation support, thespecific user is unable to realize the magnitude of a difference betweenpower usage of the user's air conditioner and the power usage of the airconditioner of another person.

In a similar manner, in Patent Literature 2, when power usage of an airconditioner of a specific user exceeds power usage of an air conditionerof second user, an energy conservation advice based on a categorycorresponding to the degree of excess is presented to the specific user.Therefore, when applied to the everyday life of the specific user, thespecific user is unable to realize the magnitude of a difference betweenthe power usage of the user's air conditioner and the power usage of theair conditioner of another person.

Therefore, when there is a difference between the power usage of thespecific user and the power usage of second user. Regardless of themagnitude of the difference, a problem arises in that the magnitude ofthe difference cannot be conveyed to the specific user who is a targetfor energy conservation support by presenting a generalized energyconservation advice and an energy conservation effect is not promoted.

In addition, in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, a pluralityof energy conservation advices are stored in advance in a memory inassociation with categories of comparison results of each electric homeappliance and power usage, and any one of the energy conservationadvices is read out in accordance with a comparison result between powerusage of a specific user and power usage of second user. Therefore,there is a problem in that the plurality of energy conservation advicesmust inevitably be energy conservation advices that are applicable toany user. Furthermore, since a plurality of energy conservation advicesare stored in advance in a memory in association with categories ofcomparison results of each electric home appliance and power usage,there is a problem of memory capacity occupied by the advices. As thenumber of individual electric home appliances increases, a large numberof energy conservation advices must be prepared accordingly. Inaddition, finely classifying the categories of comparison results ofpower usage necessitates preparing pluralities of energy conservationadvices accordingly. Therefore, as the number of energy conservationadvices increases, memory capacity must also be increased.

In order to solve the problems listed above, the present inventorsarrived at a disclosure represented by the respective aspects describedbelow.

A method for providing information according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure is a method for providing information in an informationmanagement system that manages log information related to electric homeappliances in association with each of a plurality of user IDs, themethod including: inputting, via a network, information indicating powerusage corresponding to each of the plurality of user IDs; generating adifferential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to a first user ID among the plurality of user IDs in aprescribed period and ii) a second cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to a second user ID among the plurality of user IDs in asame period as the prescribed period; generating a first conversionvalue by converting the differential value to a use time of an electrichome appliance corresponding to a first type among electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID; generating a firstelectricity bill value by converting the differential value to anelectricity bill; generating display data indicating that the firstelectricity bill value corresponding to a difference between i) thefirst cumulative power usage corresponding to the first user ID and ii)the second cumulative power usage corresponding to the second user ID inthe prescribed period corresponds to the first conversion value that isgenerated by converting the differential value to the use time of theelectric home appliance corresponding to the first type; andtransmitting the display data to an information terminal devicecorresponding to the first user ID.

In the aspect described above, when there is a difference between one'spower usage and power usage of another person. the difference is notcategorized nor is a generalized energy conservation advice presented.In other words, according to the aspect described above, an electricitybill corresponding to a difference between power usage of an electrichome appliance corresponding to a first user and power usage of anelectric home appliance corresponding to second user in a prescribedperiod is replaced with and displayed as a use time of an electric homeappliance of a given type among electric home appliances of the firstuser.

Accordingly, instead of simply presenting an electricity billcorresponding to a difference between one's own power usage and thepower usage of another person, since the electricity bill correspondingto the difference is replaced with and displayed as a use time of anelectric home appliance of a given type among electric home appliancesof the first user, the first user can recognize the electricity billcorresponding to the difference as a use time of an electric homeappliance of a given type that is used by the first user.

The replaced use time fluctuates successively in accordance with changesin the electricity bill corresponding to the difference. Therefore, thereplaced use time is a unique value for the first user which cannot beshared with second user. In addition, a use time is a parameter that ageneral user is likely to realistically appreciate in everyday life ascompared to power usage. Furthermore, an electricity bill correspondingto the difference is replaced with a use time of an electric homeappliance of a given type instead of a use time of each of a pluralityof electric home appliances. Therefore, when an electricity billcorresponding to the difference is replaced with a use time of anelectric home appliance of a specific type, it can be shown what kind ofuse time the electricity bill corresponding to the differencecorresponds to.

As a result, information on the magnitude of an electricity billcorresponding to the difference in the everyday life of a specificindividual who is a target can be provided as information unique to afirst user using an electric home appliance of a given type and a usetime of an electric home appliance of the given type which areparameters that are individually and specifically identified by eachuser. Accordingly, the first user can be readily made aware of how muchuse time should be reduced with respect to which type of electric homeappliance in order to realize energy conservation. In other words, sincea value converted to a specific type of an electric home appliance and ause time of an electric home appliance of the specific type whichconform to the everyday life of first user is presented, a suggestion asto what degree a use time of which type of electric home appliance is tobe shortened to reduce the electricity bill corresponding to thedifference is made in a manner that is easier to understand. Therefore,the user can be prompted to engage in specific energy saving behavior.

In addition, in the aspect described above, a plurality of pieces ofinformation related to energy conservation advices are not prepared inadvance in association with categories representing comparison resultsof individual electric home appliances and power usage. In the presentaspect, an electricity bill corresponding to a difference value betweena first cumulative value of power usage corresponding to a first user IDin a prescribed period and a second cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to second user ID in the prescribed period is convertedto, and presented as, a use time of an electric home appliance of afirst type among electric home appliances corresponding to the firstuser ID. Therefore, since the use time of the electric home appliance ofthe first type which is converted every time is presented, an increasein the number of individual electric home appliances can be preventedand, at the same time, an increase in memory capacity can be preventedregardless of how a comparison result of power usage is to becategorized. For example, by adopting a configuration in which a sharedportion of display data is templated and a parameter portion that variesindividually such as the electric home appliance of the first type andthe use time of the electric home appliance of the first type isvariable when generating display data, an increase in memory capacitycan be prevented significantly.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, the displaydata may be generated when the first cumulative value is larger than thesecond cumulative value.

In other words, when the first cumulative value is larger than thesecond cumulative value, an electricity bill corresponding to thedifference value between the first cumulative value of power usage of anelectric home appliance corresponding to a first user ID in a prescribedperiod and the second cumulative value of power usage of an electrichome appliance corresponding to a second user ID in the prescribedperiod is converted to a use time of an electric home appliance of afirst type among electric home appliances of the first user to bepresented to the first user.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the displaydata may include the first cumulative value and the second cumulativevalue.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the methodfurther including: generating a second electricity bill value byconverting the first cumulative value to an electricity bill; andgenerating a third electricity bill value by converting the secondcumulative value to an electricity bill, wherein the display data mayinclude the second electricity bill value and the third electricity billvalue

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, a residencecorresponding to the second user ID may be located within a prescribedrange from a residence corresponding to the first user ID.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, a compositionof residents in a residence corresponding to the second user ID may bethe same as a composition of residents in a residence corresponding tothe first user ID.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, a layout of aresidence corresponding to the second user ID may be the same as alayout of a residence corresponding to the first user ID.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the second userID may be associated with a plurality of second user IDs, and the secondcumulative value may be obtained by averaging cumulative values of powerusage of electric home appliances corresponding to the plurality ofsecond user IDs in the prescribed period.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, the electrichome appliance of the first type may include an electric home applianceof a type with highest power usage among the electric home appliancescorresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period.

In this case, the electricity bill corresponding to the difference isreplaced with a use time of an electric home appliance of a type withhighest power usage among electric home appliances corresponding to thefirst user ID instead of a use time of each of the plurality of electrichome appliances. For example, when the electric home appliance of a typewith highest power usage among the electric home appliancescorresponding to the first user ID is an air conditioner, theelectricity bill corresponding to the difference is converted to a usetime of an air conditioner. In addition, for example, when the electrichome appliance of a type with highest power usage among the electrichome appliances corresponding to the first user ID is a television set,the electricity bill corresponding to the difference is converted to ause time of a television set.

Therefore, when the electricity bill corresponding to the difference isreplaced with a use time of an electric home appliance of a type withhighest power usage (in the examples given above, an air conditioner ora television set) among electric home appliances corresponding to thefirst user ID, it can be shown what kind of use time of an electric homeappliance corresponding to the first user ID the electricity billcorresponding to the difference corresponds to.

As a result, information on the electricity bill corresponding to thedifference in power usage in the everyday life of first user who is atarget can be provided as information unique to the first user using anelectric home appliance of a type with highest power usage and a usetime of an electric home appliance of the type with the highest powerusage which are parameters that are individually and specificallyidentified with respect to first user ID.

Accordingly, by using a parameter of an electric home appliance of atype with highest power usage, a user can readily recognize which typeof electric home appliance is to be a focus of a reduction in use timein order to contribute to overall energy conservation in a moreefficient manner by one energy saving behavior. For example, the usercan recognize that, when an electric home appliance of a type withhighest power usage among electric home appliances corresponding tofirst user ID is an air conditioner, a contribution to overall energyconservation can be made in a more efficient manner by reducing the usetime of the air conditioner as compared to reducing the use time ofelectric home appliances of other types. In other words, since a valuerepresenting a conversion to a specific type of an electric homeappliance and a use time of an electric home appliance of the specifictype which conform to the everyday life of first user is presented, asuggestion as to what degree a use time of which type of electric homeappliance is to be shortened to effectively lower an electricity billcorresponding to the differential value is made in a manner that iseasier to understand. Therefore, the user can be prompted to engage inspecific energy saving behavior.

In addition, in any of the aspects described above, for example, theelectric home appliance of the first type may include an electric homeappliance of a type with a longest use time among the electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, the methodfurther including: obtaining a divided value by dividing thedifferential value using power consumption of the electric homeappliance of the first type, to use the obtained divided value as thefirst conversion value.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the electrichome appliance of the first type may include one of an air conditioner,a television set, and a lighting fixture.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, the methodfurther including: generating, when the first conversion value exceeds aprescribed upper limit value, a second conversion value by converting aportion of the differential value to the use time of the electric homeappliance of the first type; generating a third conversion value byconverting the remaining portion of the differential value to a use timeof an electric home appliance corresponding to a second type among theelectric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID; andgenerating display data which indicates that the first electricity billvalue corresponding to a difference between i) the first cumulativepower usage corresponding to the first user ID and ii) the secondcumulative power usage corresponding to the second user ID in theprescribed period corresponds to a) the second conversion value that isgenerated by converting a portion of the differential value to the usetime of the electric home appliance of the first type and to b) thethird conversion value that is generated by converting the remainingportion of the differential value to the use time of the electric homeappliance of the second type.

When an electricity bill corresponding to the difference is replacedwith a use time of an electric home appliance of one type, there arecases where the replaced use time is too long as a use time of anelectric home appliance of the one type in a prescribed period. Forexample, when the electric home appliance of the first type is an airconditioner and the electricity bill corresponding to the difference isreplaced with a use time of the air conditioner for a one-month period,the replaced use time may sometimes be too long as a use time of the airconditioner for a one-month period. In this case, even if the airconditioner is not used for one month, a surplus of the replaced usetime may occur. When such a surplus occurs, even if parameters that areindividually and specifically identified with respect to a specific userof a type of an electric home appliance and a use time of the electrichome appliance are presented and the user is prompted to engage inenergy saving behavior, since the presented parameters are notrealistic, the presentation of the parameters may not result inpromoting energy saving behavior.

However, according to the present aspect, when the first conversionvalue exceeds a prescribed upper limit value such as when the firstconversion value is too long as a use time of an electric home applianceof one type, a use time of an electric home appliance of another type isalso used to distribute a use time included in display data amongelectric home appliances of a plurality of types. Therefore, a realisticguideline can be presented in terms of how much use time is to bereduced with respect to which type of electric home appliance in orderto efficiently contribute to energy conservation. For example, bydisplaying that a first electricity bill value corresponding to adifference between power usage of first user and power usage of seconduser corresponds to a combination of a use time of an air conditionerand a use time of a television set, how much use time of the airconditioner is to be reduced and how much use time of the television setis to be reduced to reduce an electricity bill corresponding to thedifference can be presented to the first user as a realistic guideline.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the electrichome appliance of the first type may include a first electric homeappliance of a type with highest power usage among the electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period,and the electric home appliance of the second type may include a secondelectric home appliance of a type with second highest power usage amongthe electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID in theprescribed period.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, the electrichome appliance of the first type may include a first electric homeappliance of a type with a longest use time among the electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period,and the electric home appliance of the second type may include a secondelectric home appliance of a type with a second longest use time amongthe electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID in theprescribed period.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the electrichome appliance of the first type may include one of an air conditioner,a television set. and a lighting fixture, and when the first electrichome appliance of the first type is any of the air conditioner, thetelevision set, and the lighting fixture, the second electric homeappliance of the second type may include any of the air conditioner, thetelevision set, and the lighting fixture that does not overlap with theelectric home appliance of the first type.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, the prescribedperiod may include one month.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the prescribedperiod may include one week.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, the loginformation related to the electric home appliance may includeinformation indicating a use time of the electric home appliance.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the loginformation related to the electric home appliance may includeinformation indicating a use time slot of the electric home applianceson each day.

Furthermore, in the aspect described above, for example, the electrichome appliance of the first type may not include an electric homeappliance of a type in which power-on state continues all day.

Even when a differential value is converted to a use time of an electrichome appliance of a type whose power-on state continues all day, the usetime of an electric home appliance of such a type cannot be reduced.Therefore, an electric home appliance of a type whose power-on statecontinues all day is favorably excluded from the electric home applianceof the first type.

In addition, in the aspect described above, for example, the electrichome appliance of the type in which power-on state continues all day mayinclude a refrigerator.

A method for providing information according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure is a method for providing information in aninformation management system that manages log information related toelectric home appliances in association with each of a plurality of userIDs, the method including: inputting, via a network, informationindicating power usage corresponding to each of the plurality of userIDs; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative valueof power usage corresponding to a first user ID among the plurality ofuser IDs in a prescribed period and ii) a second cumulative value ofpower usage corresponding to a second user ID among the plurality ofuser IDs in a same period as the prescribed period; generating a firstconversion value by converting a portion of the differential value to ause time of an electric home appliance corresponding to a first typeamong electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID;generating a second conversion value by converting the remaining portionof the differential value to a use time of an electric home appliancecorresponding to a second type among the electric home appliancescorresponding to the first user ID; generating a first electricity billvalue by converting the differential value to an electricity bill;generating display data indicating that the first electricity bill valuecorresponding to a difference between i) the first cumulative powerusage corresponding to the first user ID and ii) the second cumulativepower usage corresponding to the second user ID in the prescribed periodcorresponds to a) the first conversion value that is generated byconverting a portion of the differential value to the use time of theelectric home appliance of the first type and b) the second conversionvalue that is generated by converting the remaining portion of thedifferential value to the use time of the electric home appliance of thesecond type; and transmitting the display data to an informationterminal device corresponding to the first user ID.

According to the other aspect described above, a first electricity billvalue corresponding to the difference of power usage corresponding tofirst user ID as compared to power usage corresponding to second user IDin a prescribed period is presented using a use time of an electric homeappliance of a first type and a use time of an electric home applianceof a second type. In this case, power usage indicating the differentialvalue is converted so as to be distributed between the use time of theelectric home appliance of the first type and the use time of theelectric home appliance of the second type. For example, it is displayedthat a first electricity bill value corresponding to a differencebetween power usage of first user and power usage of second usercorresponds to a combination of a use time of an air conditioner and ause time of a television set. As a result, how much use time of the airconditioner is to be reduced and how much use time of the television setis to be reduced to reduce an electricity bill corresponding to thedifference can be presented to the first user as a realistic guideline.

In addition, in the other aspect described above, similarly, a pluralityof pieces of information related to energy conservation advices are notprepared in advance in association with categories representingcomparison results of individual electric home appliances and powerusage. In the present aspect, it is presented that an electricity billcorresponding to a difference value between a first cumulative value ofpower usage corresponding to first user ID in a prescribed period and asecond cumulative value of power usage corresponding to second user IDin the prescribed period corresponds to use times of an electric homeappliance of a first type and an electric home appliance of a secondtype among electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID.Therefore, since a use time of an electric home appliance of a firsttype and a use time of an electric home appliance of a second type whichare converted every time are presented, an increase in the number ofindividual electric home appliances can be prevented and, at the sametime, an increase in memory capacity can be prevented regardless of howa comparison result of power usage is to be categorized. For example, byadopting a configuration in which a shared portion of display data istemplated and a parameter portion that varies individually such as anelectric home appliance of a first type, an electric home appliance of asecond type, the use time of the electric home appliance of the firsttype, and the use time of the electric home appliance of the second typeis variable when generating display data, an increase in memory capacitycan be prevented significantly.

In addition, in the other aspect described above, for example, theelectric home appliance of the first type may include a first electrichome appliance of a type with highest power usage among the electrichome appliances corresponding to the first user ID in the prescribedperiod, and the electric home appliance of the second type may include asecond electric home appliance of a type with second highest power usageamong the electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID inthe prescribed period.

Furthermore, in the other aspect described above, for example, theelectric home appliance of the first type may include a first electrichome appliance of a type with a longest use time among the electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period,and the electric home appliance of the second type may include a secondelectric home appliance of a type with a second longest use time amongthe electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID in theprescribed period.

An information management system according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure is an information management system including: aninformation management server that manages log information related toelectric home appliances in association with each of a plurality of userIDs; and an information terminal device corresponding to a first user IDamong the plurality of user IDs, wherein the information managementserver includes: a processor; and a non-transitory memory having storedthereon executable instructions, which when executed by the processor,cause the processor to perform: inputting, via a network, informationindicating power usage corresponding to each of the plurality of userIDs; generating a differential value between i) a first cumulative valueof power usage corresponding to the first user ID among the plurality ofuser IDs in a prescribed period and ii) a second cumulative value ofpower usage corresponding to second user ID among the plurality of userIDs in a same period as the prescribed period; generating a firstconversion value by converting the differential value to a use time ofan electric home appliance corresponding to a first type among electrichome appliances corresponding to the first user ID; generating a firstelectricity bill value by converting the difference value to anelectricity bill; generating display data indicating that the firstelectricity bill value corresponding to a difference between i) thefirst cumulative power usage corresponding to the first user ID and ii)the second cumulative power usage corresponding to the second user ID inthe prescribed period corresponds to the first conversion value that isgenerated by converting the differential value to the use time of theelectric home appliance of the first type; and a transmitting unit thattransmits the display data to the information terminal devicecorresponding to the first user ID, and the information terminal devicecorresponding to the first user ID includes: a receiver that receivesthe display data; a display that displays the display data; and acontroller that controls the receiver and the display.

The information terminal device according to the other aspect of thepresent disclosure is an information terminal device connected to theinformation management system that is the other aspect described above.

An information terminal device according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure is an information terminal device in an informationmanagement system including: an information management server thatmanages log information related to electric home appliances inassociation with each of a plurality of user IDs; and an informationterminal device corresponding to a first user ID among the plurality ofuser IDs, the information terminal device comprising: a receiver thatreceives display data generated by the information management server; adisplay that displays the display data; and a controller that controlsthe receiver and the display, wherein the information management servergenerates a differential value between i) a first cumulative value ofpower usage corresponding to the first user ID among the plurality ofuser IDs in a prescribed period and ii) a second cumulative value ofpower usage corresponding to a second user ID among the plurality ofuser IDs in a same period as the prescribed period, the informationmanagement server generates a first conversion value by converting thedifferential value to a use time of an electric home appliancecorresponding to a first type among electric home appliancescorresponding to the first user ID, the information management servergenerates a first electricity bill value by converting the differencevalue to an electricity bill, and the information management servergenerates the display data indicates that the first electricity billvalue corresponding to a difference between i) the first cumulativepower usage corresponding to the first user ID and ii) the secondcumulative power usage corresponding to the second user ID in theprescribed period corresponds to the first conversion value that isgenerated by converting the differential value to the use time of theelectric home appliance of the first type.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood thatthe following embodiments are merely examples embodying the presentdisclosure and are not intended to limit the technical scope of thepresent disclosure.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an informationmanagement system according to a first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

An information management system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a server 2,a home energy management system (HEMS) control apparatus 3, a userterminal 4, and electric home appliances 5.

The information management system 1 manages log information related tothe electric home appliances 5 in association with each of a pluralityof user IDs.

The server 2 is connected to the HEMS control apparatus 3 and the userterminal 4 via a network 6 so as to be capable of communicating witheach other. The server 2 acquires log information of the electric homeappliances 5 from the HEMS control apparatus 3 installed in each home ofeach user and stores the acquired log information in association withuser IDs. Moreover, the network 6 is, for example, the Internet.

The server 2 is a virtual server that cooperates with various devicesvia the network 6. The server 2 mainly manages enormous data (big data)that is difficult to handle with ordinary database management tools andthe like.

The server 2 provides accumulated log information in a fixed unit to aservice provider (not shown). In this case, the fixed unit may be a unitthat can be provided to the service provider by organizing informationaccumulated by the server 2 or a unit requested by the service provider.In addition, while a configuration is adopted in which information isprovided in a fixed unit, the information need not necessarily beprovided in a fixed unit and the amount of information may varydepending on the circumstances. The log information is stored asnecessary in a server owned by the service provider.

Furthermore, the service provider organizes the log information intoinformation suitable for a service provided to a user and provides theorganized information to the user. The user to which the service isprovided may be a user of the electric home appliances 5 or may be anoutside user. As a method of providing the service to the user, forexample, the service may be provided directly from the service providerto the user. In addition, as a method of providing the service to theuser, for example, the service may be provided once again via the server2. Alternatively, the server 2 may organize the log information intoinformation suitable for a service provided to a user and provide theorganized information to the service provider.

In addition, as a method of providing the service, the service may beprovided to the user by feeding back service contents to the electrichome appliances 5 or the service may be provided to the user bydisplaying the service contents on the user terminal 4.

Residences 7 a. 7 b, and 7 c are residences that are respectivelyoccupied by users A, B, and C. The HEMS control apparatus 3, the userterminal 4, and the electric home appliances 5 are respectively arrangedin the residences 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c.

The HEMS control apparatus 3 is connected to the server 2 and the userterminal 4 via the network 6 so as to be capable of communicating witheach other. The HEMS control apparatus 3 collects log information fromthe electric home appliances 5 arranged inside the residence andtransmits the collected log information to the server 2.

The user terminal 4 is connected to the server 2 and the HEMS controlapparatus 3 via the network 6 so as to be capable of communicating witheach other. The user terminal 4 is constituted by, for example, apersonal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a mobile phone.

The electric home appliances 5 include, for example, an air conditioner5 a, a refrigerator 5 b, a lighting fixture 5 c, and a television set 5d, and are constituted by various electrical appliances arranged insidethe residence 7 a. The electric home appliance 5 are connected to theHEMS control apparatus 3 by a wireless or wired connection. The electrichome appliances 5 transmit log information to the HEMS control apparatus3.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the server shownin FIG. 1.

The server 2 shown in FIG. 2 includes a CPU (central processing unit)21, a ROM (read only memory) 22, a RAM (random access memory) 23, acommunicating unit 24, an input unit 25, an output unit 26, and astorage unit 27. The server 2 is an example of an information managementserver that manages log information related to electric home appliancesin association with each of a plurality of user IDs.

The CPU 21 controls the respective units in the server 2. The ROM 22stores programs for operating functions of the respective units in theserver 2. The RAM 23 temporarily stores data processed in the server 2.The communicating unit 24 receives log information transmitted by theHEMS control apparatus 3 and transmits various data to the user terminal4.

The input unit 25 is constituted by, for example, a keyboard and a mouseand accepts input of various types of information by the user. Theoutput unit 26 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal displaydevice or a printer and outputs various types of information to theoutside. The storage unit 27 is constituted by a semiconductor memory, ahard disk drive, an optical disk drive, or the like and stores variousdata.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the userterminal shown in FIG. 1.

The user terminal 4 shown in FIG. 3 includes a CPU (central processingunit) 41, a ROM (read only memory) 42, a RAM (random access memory) 43,a communicating unit 44, an input unit 45, a display unit 46, and astorage unit 47. The user terminal 4 is an example of an informationterminal device corresponding to each of a plurality of user IDs.

The CPU 41 is an example of a control unit and controls respective unitsin the user terminal 4 such as the communicating unit 44 and the displayunit 46. The ROM 42 stores programs for operating functions of therespective units in the user terminal 4. The RAM 43 temporarily storesdata processed in the user terminal 4. The communicating unit 44receives display data generated by the server 2 and transmits variousdata to the server 2.

The input unit 45 is constituted by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse,or a touch panel and accepts input of various types of information bythe user. The display unit 46 is constituted by, for example, a liquidcrystal display device and displays received display data. The storageunit 47 is constituted by a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, anoptical disk drive, or the like and stores various data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a software configuration of the server 2shown in FIG. 1.

The server 2 shown in FIG. 4 includes a communicating unit 101, a userinformation managing unit 102, a power consumption data managing unit103, a comparison target household selecting unit 104, a powerconsumption comparing unit 105, a device selecting unit 106, anestimated use time calculating unit 107, a display data generating unit108, a user information database 111, a power consumption historydatabase 112, a reference power consumption database 113, a device usehistory database 114, and a display data template database 115.

The communicating unit 101 is implemented by the communicating unit 24shown in FIG. 2. The user information managing unit 102, the powerconsumption data managing unit 103, the comparison target householdselecting unit 104, the power consumption comparing unit 105, the deviceselecting unit 106, the estimated use time calculating unit 107, and thedisplay data generating unit 108 are implemented by the CPU 21 shown inFIG. 2. The user information database 111, the power consumption historydatabase 112, the reference power consumption database 113, the deviceuse history database 114, and the display data template database 115 areimplemented by the storage unit 27 shown in FIG. 2.

The communicating unit 101 receives log information of the electric homeappliances 5 arranged in each residence and power consumption data ofeach residence. The communicating unit 101 inputs, in association witheach of a plurality of user IDs, information indicating power usagecorresponding to each of the plurality of user IDs via the network 6.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of power consumption data. Asshown in FIG. 5, the HEMS control apparatus 3 transmits powerconsumption data together with a user ID and a date. The powerconsumption data is transmitted once every day and indicates an amountof power consumed in a residence in one day. A user ID is assigned inadvance to each home (each residence).

In addition, the HEMS control apparatus 3 transmits log informationtogether with a user ID, a device type representing a type of anelectric home appliance, and an device ID for identifying an electrichome appliance. Log information represents a use start date/time and ause end date/time of an electric home appliance. In other words, loginformation related to an electric home appliance includes informationindicating a use time slot of the electric home appliance of each day.The HEMS control apparatus 3 transmits log information representing ause start date/time and a use end date/time of an electric homeappliance upon the end of use of the electric home appliance.

Alternatively, the HEMS control apparatus 3 may transmit log informationrepresenting a use start date/time of an electric home appliance uponstart of use of the electric home appliance and transmit log informationrepresenting a use end date/time of the electric home appliance upon theend of use of the electric home appliance. In addition, the HEMS controlapparatus 3 may transmit log information representing a period of timeover which an electric home appliance had been used by the user insteadof transmitting log information representing a use start date/time and ause end date/time of the electric home appliance. In other words, loginformation related to an electric home appliance may includeinformation indicating a use period of the electric home appliance. Inaddition, the HEMS control apparatus 3 may store log information of therespective electric home appliances and collectively transmit the loginformation of the respective electric home appliances every prescribedperiod of time. Furthermore, the HEMS control apparatus 3 may store loginformation of the respective electric home appliances and transmit thelog information of the respective electric home appliances once each daytogether with power consumption data.

The communicating unit 101 stores received log information in the deviceuse history database 114.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of device use history stored inthe device use history database. As shown in FIG. 6, the device usehistory database 114 stores a user ID, a device type, a device ID, and adevice use history in association with each other. The device usehistory represents dates/times of use of an electric home appliance andincludes use start dates/times and use end dates/times.

The user ID, the device type, and the device ID are input using, forexample, the user terminal 4 and transmitted to the server 2. Thecommunicating unit 101 stores the user ID, the device type, and thedevice ID transmitted from the user terminal 4 in the device use historydatabase 114 in advance, and when a new electric home appliance isarranged, updates contents of the device use history database 114. Inaddition, the communicating unit 101 updates device use history based onreceived log information.

The user information managing unit 102 manages user information storedin the user information database 111. The user information database 111stores user information for each user ID.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of user information stored in theuser information database. As shown in FIG. 7, the user informationdatabase 111 stores a user ID, a household composition, a postal code, aresidence type, and types/number of used appliances in association witheach other.

A household composition is information indicating the number of adultsand the number of minors among residents in a residence corresponding toa user ID. A residence type is information indicating whether theresidence corresponding to the user ID is a detached house or anapartment. Types/number of used appliances are information indicatingthe types and the number of electric home appliances arranged in theresidence corresponding to the user ID.

User information is input using, for example, the user terminal 4 andtransmitted to the server 2. The user information managing unit 102stores user terminal transmitted from the user terminal 4 in the userinformation database 111 in advance, and when a new electric homeappliance is arranged, updates contents of user information in the userinformation database 111.

The power consumption data managing unit 103 manages power consumptiondata acquired from each electric home appliance. The power consumptiondata managing unit 103 stores power consumption data received by thecommunicating unit 101 in the power consumption history database 112.The power consumption history database 112 stores a history of powerconsumption for each user ID.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of power consumption historystored in the power consumption history database. As shown in FIG. 8,the power consumption history database 112 stores monthly powerconsumption of a residence corresponding to a user ID.

The comparison target household selecting unit 104 selects a user ID ofa household to be a comparison target from a plurality of user IDs. Inthis case, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 selects auser ID with a same composition of residents as a composition ofresidents in a residence corresponding to a user ID providing advicerelated to energy conservation as the user ID of the household to be acomparison target.

Alternatively, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 mayselect a user ID within a prescribed range from the residencecorresponding to the user ID providing advice related to energyconservation as the user ID of the household to be a comparison target.In addition, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 mayselect a user ID with a same residence type (layout) as a residence type(layout) of the residence corresponding to the user ID providing advicerelated to energy conservation as the user ID of the household to be acomparison target.

The power consumption comparing unit 105 compares a first cumulativevalue of power usage corresponding to first user ID (the user IDproviding advice related to energy conservation) among the plurality ofuser IDs in a prescribed period with a second cumulative value of powerusage corresponding to second user ID (the user ID of the household tobe a comparison target) among the plurality of user IDs in a same periodas the prescribed period.

Moreover, the second cumulative value is favorably an average valueobtained by averaging cumulative values of power usage of electric homeappliances corresponding to each of a plurality of second user IDs inthe prescribed period. In other words, the power consumption comparingunit 105 calculates an average value that is an average of cumulativevalues of power usage of electric home appliances corresponding to eachof a plurality of second user IDs in the prescribed period, as thesecond cumulative value.

The device selecting unit 106 selects an electric home appliance of afirst type among electric home appliances corresponding to first user ID(the user ID providing advice related to energy conservation). In thiscase, the electric home appliance of the first type includes an electrichome appliance of a type with highest power usage among electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period.For example, the electric home appliance of the first type may includean air conditioner, a television set, or a lighting fixture. Moreover,when it is determined by the power consumption comparing unit 105 thatthe first cumulative value is greater than the second cumulative value,the device selecting unit 106 selects the electric home appliance of thefirst type.

The estimated use time calculating unit 107 generates a differentialvalue between a first cumulative value of power usage corresponding tofirst user ID (the user ID providing advice related to energyconservation) among the plurality of user IDs in a prescribed period anda second cumulative value of power usage corresponding to second user ID(the user ID of the household to be a comparison target) among theplurality of user IDs in a same period as the prescribed period.Moreover, the prescribed period is, for example, one month.Alternatively, the prescribed period may be, for example, one week, halfa month, a half year, or one year. In addition, the prescribed periodmay be a period between a first day to the present day of the presentmonth, the previous month, or a month specified by the user.

Furthermore, the estimated use time calculating unit 107 generates afirst conversion value by converting the generated differential value toa use time of the electric home appliance of the first type among theelectric home appliances corresponding to first user ID. The estimateduse time calculating unit 107 generates a divided value that is adivision of the generated differential value by reference powerconsumption of the electric home appliance of the first type as thefirst conversion value. Moreover, reference power consumption refers topower consumption per hour by an electric home appliance.

The reference power consumption database 113 stores power consumptionper hour as reference power consumption for each type of the electrichome appliances.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of reference power consumptionstored in the reference power consumption database. As shown in FIG. 9,the reference power consumption database 113 stores a device type andreference power consumption in association with each other. Referencepower consumption is power that is consumed by an electric homeappliance per hour. For example, reference power consumption of an airconditioner is 0.13 kW, reference power consumption of a refrigerator is0.034 kW, reference power consumption of a lighting fixture is 0.05 kW,and reference power consumption of a television set is 0.1 kW.

The display data generating unit 108 generates display data indicatingthat the differential value between power usage corresponding to firstuser ID and power usage corresponding to second user ID in theprescribed period corresponds to the first conversion value that isgenerated by converting the differential value to a use time of theelectric home appliance of the first type.

In addition, the display data generating unit 108 may generate a firstelectricity bill value that is a conversion of the differential value toan electricity bill. The display data may include the first electricitybill value. Furthermore, the display data generating unit 108 maygenerate display data indicating that the first electricity bill valuecorresponding to a difference between power usage corresponding tosecond user ID and power usage corresponding to first user ID in theprescribed period corresponds to the first conversion value that isgenerated by converting the differential value to a use time of theelectric home appliance of the first type.

In addition, the display data may include a first cumulative value and asecond cumulative value. The display data generating unit 108 maygenerate a second electricity bill value that is a conversion of thefirst cumulative value to an electricity bill and a third electricitybill value that is a conversion of the second cumulative value to anelectricity bill. The display data may include the second electricitybill value and the third electricity bill value.

Furthermore, the display data generating unit 108 may generate displaydata when the first cumulative value is greater than the secondcumulative value.

The communicating unit 101 transmits display data to the user terminal 4corresponding to the first user ID.

The display data template database 115 stores a first display datatemplate that is displayed when a first cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to first user ID among a plurality of user IDs in aprescribed period is greater than a second cumulative value of powerusage corresponding to second user ID among the plurality of user IDs ina same period as the prescribed period, and a second display datatemplate that is displayed when the first cumulative value of powerusage corresponding to the first user ID among a plurality of user IDsin a prescribed period is equal to or smaller than the second cumulativevalue of power usage corresponding to the second user ID among theplurality of user IDs in a same period as the prescribed period.

The display data generating unit 108 reads out a display data templatein accordance with a magnitude relationship between the first cumulativevalue and the second cumulative value from the display data templatedatabase 115.

Next, a flow of processes of the information management system 1according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of processes of theinformation management system 1 according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In FIG. 10, an HEMS control apparatus 3 a isinstalled in a residence of a user A who desires that advice related toenergy conservation be provided, and an HEMS control apparatus 3 b isinstalled in a residence of a user B that differs from the residence ofthe user A. In addition, the user terminal 4 is owned by the user A.

First, the HEMS control apparatus 3 a transmits log information of eachelectric home appliance installed in the residence of the user A andpower consumption data of the residence of the user A to the server 2 ata prescribed timing (step S1). The server 2 receives log information andpower consumption data transmitted by the HEMS control apparatus 3 a.

In addition, the HEMS control apparatus 3 b transmits log information ofeach electric home appliance installed in the residence of the user Band power consumption data of the residence of the user B to the server2 at a prescribed timing (step S2). The server 2 receives loginformation and power consumption data transmitted by the HEMS controlapparatus 3 b. Moreover, in addition to the HEMS control apparatus 3 barranged in the residence of the user B, HEMS control apparatusesarranged in residences of second users also transmit log information andpower consumption data to the server 2 at prescribed timings.

While the HEMS control apparatus 3 a and the HEMS control apparatus 3 btransmit log information and power consumption data at the same time,alternatively, log information and power consumption data may betransmitted at different timings.

Next. the user terminal 4 transmits a display data request to the server2 (step S3). The display data request includes a user ID for identifyingthe user A. The server 2 receives the display data request transmittedby the user terminal 4.

Next, the server 2 generates display data (step S4). At this point, theserver 2 performs a process of selecting a comparison target household,a process of comparing power consumption, a process of selecting anelectric home appliance whose use time is to be a target of conversionof the differential value, a process of calculating an estimated usetime, and a process of generating display data.

Specifically, the server 2 generates a differential value between afirst cumulative value of power usage corresponding to first user IDamong a plurality of user IDs in a prescribed period and a secondcumulative value of power usage corresponding to second user ID amongthe plurality of user IDs in a same period as the prescribed period. Inaddition, the server 2 generates a first conversion value by convertingthe generated differential value to a use time of the electric homeappliance of the first type among the electric home appliancescorresponding to the first user ID. Furthermore, the server 2 generatesdisplay data indicating that the differential value between power usagecorresponding to the first user ID and power usage corresponding to thesecond user ID in the prescribed period corresponds to the firstconversion value that is generated by converting the differential valueto a use time of the electric home appliance of the first type.

In addition, the server 2 generates a first electricity bill value thatis a conversion of the differential value to an electricity bill. Theserver 2 generates display data indicating that the first electricitybill corresponding to a difference between power usage corresponding tothe first user ID and power usage corresponding to the second user ID inthe prescribed period corresponds to the first conversion value that isgenerated by converting the differential value to a use time of theelectric home appliance of the first type.

Next, the server 2 transmits the generated display data to the userterminal 4 (step S5). The user terminal 4 receives the display datatransmitted by the server 2.

Next, the user terminal 4 displays the received display data (step S6).

An outline of processes of the server 2 according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure will now be described.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an outline of processes of theserver 2 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, in step S11, the communicating unit 101 receives a display datarequest for requesting acquisition of display data transmitted by theuser terminal 4. Moreover, as described earlier. the display datarequest includes a user ID for identifying a user.

Next, in step S12, the comparison target household selecting unit 104performs a comparison target household selection process to select auser ID of a household to be a comparison target from a plurality ofuser IDs. Details of the comparison target household selection processwill be given later.

Next, in step S13, the power consumption comparing unit 105 acquirespower consumption P in the present month corresponding to the user IDreceived by the communicating unit 101 from the power consumptionhistory database 112. The power consumption comparing unit 105 acquiresa record including the user ID received by the communicating unit 101from the power consumption history database 112 and acquires the powerconsumption P in the present month from the acquired record.

Next, in step S14, the power consumption comparing unit 105 acquirespower consumption in the present month corresponding to user IDs of allcomparison target households selected by the comparison target householdselecting unit 104 from the power consumption history database 112. Thepower consumption comparing unit 105 acquires a record including theuser ID of each of all comparison target households selected by thecomparison target household selecting unit 104 from the powerconsumption history database 112 and acquires the power consumption inthe present month from each acquired record.

Next, in step S15, the power consumption comparing unit 105 calculatesaverage power consumption Pav of all comparison target households.

Moreover, while the power consumption comparing unit 105 calculatesaverage power consumption Pav of all comparison target households in thepresent embodiment, the present disclosure is not particularly limitedthereto. The power consumption comparing unit 105 may calculate averagepower consumption Pav of a part of comparison target households amongall comparison target households. For example, the power consumptioncomparing unit 105 may calculate average power consumption Pav of 10comparison target households with lowest power consumption among powerconsumption of all comparison target households acquired from the powerconsumption history database 112.

Next, in step S16, the power consumption comparing unit 105 determineswhether or not the power consumption P corresponding to the receiveduser ID is higher than the average power consumption Pav correspondingto the user IDs of the comparison target households. When it isdetermined that the power consumption P is not higher than the averagepower consumption Pav or, in other words, when it is determined thatpower consumption P is equal to or lower than the average powerconsumption Pav (NO in step S16), in step S19, the display datagenerating unit 108 executes a display data generation process togenerate display data. Moreover, details of the display data generationprocess will be given later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the power consumption P ishigher than the average power consumption Pav (YES in step S16). in stepS17, the device selecting unit 106 executes a device selection processto select an electric home appliance of a first type among electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID (the user ID providingadvice related to energy conservation). Moreover, details of the deviceselection process will be given later.

Next, in step S18, the estimated use time calculating unit 107 executesan estimated use time calculation process to generate a differentialvalue between a first cumulative value (power consumption P) in aprescribed period of power usage corresponding to first user ID (thereceived user ID) among the plurality of user IDs and a secondcumulative value (average power consumption Pav) in a same period as theprescribed period of power usage corresponding to the second user IDs(the user IDs of the comparison target households) among the pluralityof user IDs and, at the same time, to generate a first conversion valueby converting the differential value to a use time of the electric homeappliance of the first type among electric home appliances correspondingto the first user ID. Moreover, details of the estimated use timecalculation process will be given later.

Next, in step S19, the display data generating unit 108 executes adisplay data generation process to generate display data.

Next, in step S20, the communicating unit 101 transmits the display datagenerated by the display data generating unit 108 to the user terminal4.

Details of the comparison target household selection process in step S12shown in FIG. 11 will now be described.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating details of the comparison targethousehold selection process according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

First, in step S21, the comparison target household selecting unit 104acquires a household composition F corresponding to the user ID receivedby the communicating unit 101 from the user information database 111.The comparison target household selecting unit 104 acquires a recordincluding the user ID received by the communicating unit 101 from theuser information database 111 and acquires the household composition Ffrom the acquired record.

Next, in step S22, the comparison target household selecting unit 104acquires a household composition Fc of a first record in the userinformation database 111. The comparison target household selecting unit104 acquires the first record from the user information database 111 andacquires the household composition F from the acquired record.

Next, in step S23, the comparison target household selecting unit 104determines whether or not the household composition F is the same as thehousehold composition Fc. When it is determined that the householdcomposition F is not the same as the household composition Fc (NO instep S23). a transition is made to the process of step S25.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the household compositionF is the same as the household composition Fc (YES in step S23), in stepS24, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 stores a user IDof the current record having the same household composition Fc as thehousehold composition F. Moreover, when the user ID of the acquiredcurrent record is the same as the received user ID, the comparisontarget household selecting unit 104 does not store the user ID of theacquired current record. In addition, the user ID of the current recordis temporarily stored in, for example, the RAM 23.

Next, in step S25, a determination is made on whether or not the currentrecord is a last record in the user information database 111. When it isdetermined that the current record is not the last record in the userinformation database 111 (NO in step S25), in step S26, the comparisontarget household selecting unit 104 acquires a household composition Fcof a next record in the user information database 111. The comparisontarget household selecting unit 104 acquires the record next to thecurrent record from the user information database 111 and acquires thehousehold composition Fc from the acquired record. Subsequently, thecomparison target household selecting unit 104 returns to the process ofstep S23 and performs processes of step S23 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the current record is thelast record in the user information database 111 (YES in step S25), instep S27, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 selectshouseholds of all stored user IDs as comparison target households.Subsequently, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 endsthe comparison target household selection process.

While a comparison target household is selected based on a compositionof residents (household composition) of a residence corresponding to thereceived user ID in the description given above, the present disclosureis not limited thereto. Alternatively, a comparison target household maybe selected based on whether or not a residence is within a prescribedrange from the residence corresponding to the received user ID. In afirst modification of the comparison target household selection processaccording to the first embodiment described below, a comparison targethousehold is selected based on whether or not a household is within aprescribed range from the residence corresponding to the received userID.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating details of a first modification ofthe comparison target household selection process according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

First, in step S31, the comparison target household selecting unit 104acquires a postal code N corresponding to the user ID received by thecommunicating unit 101 from the user information database 111. Thecomparison target household selecting unit 104 acquires a recordincluding the user ID received by the communicating unit 101 from theuser information database 111 and acquires the postal code N from theacquired record.

Next, in step S32, the comparison target household selecting unit 104acquires a postal code Nc of a first record in the user informationdatabase 111. The comparison target household selecting unit 104acquires the first record from the user information database 111 andacquires the postal code Nc from the acquired record.

Next, in step S33, the comparison target household selecting unit 104determines whether or not the postal code N is the same as the postalcode Nc. When it is determined that the postal code N is not the same asthe postal code Nc (NO in step S33), a transition is made to the processof step S35.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the postal code N is thesame as the postal code Nc (YES in step S33), in step S34, thecomparison target household selecting unit 104 stores a user ID of thecurrent record having the same postal code Nc as the postal code N.Moreover, when the user ID of the acquired current record is the same asthe received user ID, the comparison target household selecting unit 104does not store the user ID of the acquired current record. In addition,the user ID of the current record is temporarily stored in, for example,the RAM 23.

Next, in step S35, a determination is made on whether or not the currentrecord is a last record in the user information database 111. When it isdetermined that the current record is not the last record in the userinformation database 111 (NO in step S35), in step S36, the comparisontarget household selecting unit 104 acquires a postal code Nc of a nextrecord in the user information database 111. The comparison targethousehold selecting unit 104 acquires the record next to the currentrecord from the user information database 111 and acquires the postalcode Nc from the acquired record. Subsequently, the comparison targethousehold selecting unit 104 returns to the process of step S33 andperforms processes of step S33 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the current record is thelast record in the user information database 111 (YES in step S35), instep S37, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 selectshouseholds of all stored user IDs as comparison target households.Subsequently, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 endsthe comparison target household selection process.

Moreover, while the comparison target household selecting unit 104selects a comparison target household based on a portal codecorresponding to the received user ID in the first modification of thepresent first embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.Alternatively, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 mayselect a comparison target household based on information that enables adetermination to be made on whether or not a residence is within aprescribed range from the residence corresponding to the received userID. For example, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 mayselect a comparison target household based on a telephone number or anaddress corresponding to the received user ID. Alternatively, forexample, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 may select auser ID of a residence within a prescribed range from positioncoordinates of the residence corresponding to the received user ID. Inthis case, position coordinates are to be acquired by a GPS (GlobalPositioning System) or the like.

While a comparison target household is selected based on whether or nota residence is within a prescribed range from the residencecorresponding to the received user ID in the description given above,the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Alternatively, acomparison target household may be selected based on a residence type(layout) of the residence corresponding to the received user ID. In asecond modification of the comparison target household selection processaccording to the first embodiment described below, a comparison targethousehold is selected based on a residence type (layout) of theresidence corresponding to the received user ID.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating details of a second modification ofthe comparison target household selection process according to the firstembodiment of the present disclosure.

First, in step S41, the comparison target household selecting unit 104acquires a residence type H corresponding to the user ID received by thecommunicating unit 101 from the user information database 111. Moreover,a residence type according to the present embodiment is either adetached house or an apartment. The comparison target householdselecting unit 104 acquires a record including the user ID received bythe communicating unit 101 from the user information database 111 andacquires the residence type H from the acquired record.

Next, in step S42, the comparison target household selecting unit 104acquires a residence type Hc of a first record in the user informationdatabase 111. The comparison target household selecting unit 104acquires the first record from the user information database 111 andacquires the residence type Hc from the acquired record.

Next, in step S43, the comparison target household selecting unit 104determines whether or not the residence type H is the same as theresidence type Hc. When it is determined that the residence type H isnot the same as the residence type Hc (NO in step S43), a transition ismade to the process of step S45.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the residence type H isthe same as the residence type Hc (YES in step S43). in step S44. thecomparison target household selecting unit 104 stores a user ID of thecurrent record having the same residence type Hc as the residence typeH. Moreover. when the user ID of the acquired current record is the sameas the received user ID, the comparison target household selecting unit104 does not store the user ID of the acquired current record. Inaddition, the user ID of the current record is temporarily stored in,for example, the RAM 23.

Next, in step S45, a determination is made on whether or not the currentrecord is a last record in the user information database 111. When it isdetermined that the current record is not the last record in the userinformation database 111 (NO in step S45), in step S46, the comparisontarget household selecting unit 104 acquires a residence type Hc of anext record in the user information database 111. The comparison targethousehold selecting unit 104 acquires the record next to the currentrecord from the user information database 111 and acquires the residencetype Hc from the acquired record. Subsequently, the comparison targethousehold selecting unit 104 returns to the process of step S43 andperforms processes of step S43 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the current record is thelast record in the user information database 111 (YES in step S45), instep S47, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 selectshouseholds of all stored user IDs as comparison target households.Subsequently, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 endsthe comparison target household selection process.

Moreover, while the comparison target household selecting unit 104selects a comparison target household based on whether a residence typeof a residence corresponding to the user ID is a detached house or anapartment in the second modification of the present first embodiment,the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The comparison targethousehold selecting unit 104 may select a comparison target householdbased on whether a layout composition of a residence is the same as alayout composition of the residence corresponding to the user ID. Inthis case, a layout composition refers to types of rooms such as aliving room, a kitchen, a western style room, and a Japanese style room,and the number of rooms of each type. In addition, the comparison targethousehold selecting unit 104 may select a comparison target householdbased on whether the number of rooms of a residence is the same as thenumber of moms in the residence corresponding to the user ID.Furthermore, the comparison target household selecting unit 104 mayselect a comparison target household based on whether an area of thepremises of a residence is the same as an area of the premises of theresidence corresponding to the user ID. In addition, the comparisontarget household selecting unit 104 may select a comparison targethousehold based on whether a total floor area of a residence is the sameas a total floor area of the residence corresponding to the user ID.

Details of the device selection process in step S17 shown in FIG. 11will now be described.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating details of the device selectionprocess according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, in step S51, the device selecting unit 106 acquires a recordincluding a received user ID from the device use history database 114.

Next, in step S52, the device selecting unit 106 selects a first devicetype d from the acquired record.

Next, in step S53, the device selecting unit 106 selects a first deviceID belonging to the selected device type d.

Next, in step S54, the device selecting unit 106 acquires all use timesin the present month of a device corresponding to the selected deviceID.

Next, in step S55, the device selecting unit 106 adds all acquired usetimes in the present month to a total use time Td indicating a sum ofuse times of each device type. Moreover, the use time Td is temporarilystored in the RAM 23 for each device type. The device selecting unit 106adds all acquired use times in the present month to the total use timeTd stored in the RAM 23 and updates the total use time Td stored in theRAM 23.

Next, in step S56, the device selecting unit 106 determines whether theselected device ID is a last device ID in the selected device type d.When it is determined that the selected device ID is not the last deviceID in the selected device type d (NO in step S56), in step S57, thedevice selecting unit 106 selects a next device ID belonging to theselected device type d. Subsequently, the device selecting unit 106returns to the process of step S54 and performs processes of step S54and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the selected device ID isthe last device ID in the selected device type d (YES in step S56), instep S58, the device selecting unit 106 acquires reference powerconsumption Psd corresponding to the selected device type d from thereference power consumption database 113.

Next, in step S59, the device selecting unit 106 calculates and storesestimated power consumption of the selected device type d. The deviceselecting unit 106 calculates the estimated power consumption bymultiplying the total use time Td of the selected device type d with thereference power consumption Psd corresponding to the acquired devicetype d. The calculated estimated power consumption is temporarily storedin, for example, the RAM 23.

Next, in step S60, the device selecting unit 106 determines whether ornot the selected device type d is a last device type in the acquiredrecord. When it is determined that the selected device type d is not thelast device type in the acquired record (NO in step S60), in step S61,the device selecting unit 106 acquires a next device type d from theacquired record. Subsequently, the device selecting unit 106 returns tothe process of step S53 and performs processes of step S53 andsubsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the selected device type dis the last device type in the acquired record (YES in step S60), instep S62, the device selecting unit 106 compares estimated powerconsumption of all device types and selects a device type d with highestestimated power consumption as an estimated used device D. Subsequently,the device selecting unit 106 ends the device selection process.

Details of the estimated use time calculation process in step S18 shownin FIG. 11 will now be described.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating details of the estimated use timecalculation process according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

First, in step S71, the estimated use time calculating unit 107 acquiresreference power consumption Ps corresponding to the estimated useddevice D selected by the device selecting unit 106 from the referencepower consumption database 113.

Next, in step S72, the estimated use time calculating unit 107calculates a power consumption difference Pdiff that is a differentialvalue between power consumption P in the present month corresponding tothe received user ID and average power consumption Pav of all comparisontarget households. The estimated use time calculating unit 107calculates the power consumption difference Pdiff by subtracting theaverage power consumption Pav of all comparison target households fromthe power consumption P in the present month corresponding to thereceived user ID.

Next, in step S73, the estimated use time calculating unit 107calculates an estimated use time T by dividing the calculated powerconsumption difference Pdiff by the acquired reference power consumptionPs. Subsequently, the estimated use time calculating unit 107 ends theestimated use time calculation process.

Details of the display data generation process in step S19 shown in FIG.11 will now be described.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating details of the display datageneration process according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

First, in step S81, the display data generating unit 108 calculates anelectricity bill E for the present month of the user ID received by thecommunicating unit 101. The display data generating unit 108 calculatesthe electricity bill E for the present month of the received user ID bymultiplying power consumption P in the present month corresponding tothe received user ID by a prescribed electricity bill unit price.Moreover, the prescribed electricity bill unit price is stored inadvance in, for example, the storage unit 27.

Next, in step S82, the display data generating unit 108 calculates anaverage electricity bill Eav for the present month of comparison targethouseholds. The display data generating unit 108 calculates the averageelectricity bill Eav for the present month of the comparison targethouseholds by multiplying the average power consumption Pav of allcomparison target households by the prescribed electricity bill unitprice.

Next, in step S83, the display data generating unit 108 determineswhether or not the power consumption P corresponding to the receiveduser ID is higher than the average power consumption Pav correspondingto the user IDs of the comparison target households. When it isdetermined that the power consumption P is higher than the average powerconsumption Pav (YES in step S83), in step S84, the display datagenerating unit 108 acquires a first display data template that isdisplayed when the power consumption P is higher than the average powerconsumption Pav from the display data template database 115.

Next, in step S85, the display data generating unit 108 calculates apower consumption difference Pdiff that is a differential value betweenthe power consumption P corresponding to the received user ID and theaverage power consumption Pav corresponding to the user IDs of thecomparison target households and an electricity bill difference Ediffthat is a differential value between the electricity bill E for thepresent month of the received user ID and the average electricity billEav for the present month of the comparison target households. Thedisplay data generating unit 108 calculates the power consumptiondifference Pdiff by subtracting the average power consumption Pavcorresponding to the user IDs of the comparison target households fromthe power consumption P corresponding to the received user ID. Inaddition, the display data generating unit 108 calculates theelectricity bill difference Ediff by subtracting the average electricitybill Eav for the present month of the comparison target households fromthe electricity bill E for the present month of the received user ID.

Next, in step S86, the display data generating unit 108 generatesdisplay data that respectively applies the power consumption P, theelectricity bill E, the average power consumption Pav, the averageelectricity bill Eav, the power consumption difference Pdiff, theelectricity bill difference Ediff, the estimated used device D, and theestimated use time T to the acquired first display data template.Subsequently, the display data generating unit 108 ends the display datageneration process.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the power consumption P isnot higher than the average power consumption Pav or, in other words,when it is determined that the power consumption P is equal to or lowerthan the average power consumption Pav (NO in step S83), in step S87,the display data generating unit 108 acquires a second display datatemplate that is displayed when the power consumption P is equal to orlower than the average power consumption Pav from the display datatemplate database 115.

Next, in step S88, the display data generating unit 108 calculates apower consumption difference Pdiff that is a differential value betweenthe average power consumption Pav corresponding to the user IDs of thecomparison target households and the power consumption P correspondingto the received user ID and an electricity bill difference Ediff that isa differential value between the average electricity bill Eav for thepresent month of the comparison target households and the electricitybill E for the present month of the received user ID. The display datagenerating unit 108 calculates the power consumption difference Pdiff bysubtracting the power consumption P corresponding to the received userID from the average power consumption Pav corresponding to the user IDsof the comparison target households. In addition, the display datagenerating unit 108 calculates the electricity bill difference Ediff bysubtracting the electricity bill E for the present month of the receiveduser ID from the average electricity bill Eav for the present month ofthe comparison target households.

Next, in step S89, the display data generating unit 108 generatesdisplay data that respectively applies the power consumption P, theelectricity bill E, the average power consumption Pav, the averageelectricity bill Eav, the power consumption difference Pdiff, and theelectricity bill difference Ediff to the acquired second display datatemplate. Subsequently, the display data generating unit 108 ends thedisplay data generation process.

Moreover, when the power consumption P is the same as the average powerconsumption Pav, the display data generating unit 108 may acquire adisplay data template that is displayed when the power consumption P andthe average power consumption Pav are the same from the display datatemplate database 115. In this case, the display data generating unit108 may generate display data that respectively applies the powerconsumption P, the electricity bill E, the average power consumptionPav, the average electricity bill Eav, the power consumption differencePdiff, and the electricity bill difference Ediff to the acquired displaydata template.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of display data that isgenerated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav according to the present first embodiment.

In display data 201 shown in FIG. 18, power consumption P, anelectricity bill E, average power consumption Pav, an averageelectricity bill Eav, a power consumption difference Pdiff, anelectricity bill difference Ediff, an estimated used device D, and anestimated use time T are respectively applied to a first display datatemplate 301.

For example, the first display data template 301 includes texts reading“Compare this month's electricity bill with everyone else” and “You areusing YYYY hours' worth of electricity more than everyone else on XXXX.Let's review how you are using electricity!” The estimated used device Dis applied to “XXXX” and the estimated use time T is applied to “YYYY”.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 18, “460” (kWh) is applied asthe power consumption P, “10,120” (yen) is applied as the electricitybill E, “365” (kWh) is applied as the average power consumption Pav,“8,030” (yen) is applied as the average electricity bill Eav, “95” (kWh)is applied as the power consumption difference Pdiff, “2,090” (yen) isapplied as the electricity bill difference Ediff, “air conditioner” isapplied as the estimated used device D, and “731” (hours) is applied asthe estimated use time T.

As shown, the display data 201 indicates that the differential value(the power consumption difference Pdiff) between power usage (the powerconsumption P) corresponding to the first user ID and power usage (theaverage power consumption Pav) corresponding to second user IDs(comparison target households) in the prescribed period corresponds tothe first conversion value (the estimated use time T) that is generatedby converting the differential value (the power consumption differencePdiff) to a use time of the estimated used device D. Therefore, the useris able to realize the magnitude of a difference between the user'spower usage and the power usage of other people when applying thedifference to the user's everyday life. In addition, since thedifference between the user's power usage and the power usage of otherpeople is presented by being converted into a use time of an electrichome appliance owned by the user, the user can be prompted to engage inenergy conservation.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of display data that isgenerated when power consumption P is equal to or lower than averagepower consumption Pav according to the present first embodiment.

In display data 202 shown in FIG. 19, power consumption P, anelectricity bill E, average power consumption Pav, an averageelectricity bill Eav, a power consumption difference Pdiff, and anelectricity bill difference Ediff are respectively applied to a seconddisplay data template 302.

For example, the second display data template 302 includes texts reading“Compare this month's electricity bill with everyone else” and “Yourelectricity bill is ZZZZ yen lower than everyone else's. Keep up thegood work in saving energy!” The electricity bill difference Ediff isapplied to “ZZZZ”.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 19, “308” (kWh) is applied asthe power consumption P, “6,780” (yen) is applied as the electricitybill E, “365” (kWh) is applied as the average power consumption Pav,“8.030” (yen) is applied as the average electricity bill Eav, “57” (kWh)is applied as the power consumption difference Pdiff, and “1.250” (yen)is applied as the electricity bill difference Ediff.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a first modification of display data thatis generated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav according to the present first embodiment.

In display data 203 shown in FIG. 20, power consumption P, anelectricity bill E, average power consumption Pav, an averageelectricity bill Eav, a power consumption difference Pdiff, anelectricity bill difference Ediff, an estimated used device D, and anestimated use time T are respectively applied to a first display datatemplate 303.

The first display data template 303 shown in FIG. 20 differs from thefirst display data template 301 shown in FIG. 18 in that the powerconsumption P being higher than the average power consumption Pav isexpressed by an inequality sign. An inequality sign representing amagnitude relationship between the power consumption P and the averagepower consumption Pav is shown in a center portion of the display data203.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a second modification of display data thatis generated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav according to the present first embodiment.

In display data 204 shown in FIG. 21, power consumption P, anelectricity bill E, average power consumption Pav, an averageelectricity bill Eav, a power consumption difference Pdiff, anelectricity bill difference Ediff, an estimated used device D, and anestimated use time T are respectively applied to a first display datatemplate 304.

The first display data template 304 shown in FIG. 21 differs from thefirst display data template 301 shown in FIG. 18 in that the electricitybill E and the average electricity bill Eav are expressed by numbers ofprescribed object images and that the electricity bill difference Ediffis expressed by varying display modes of the prescribed object images.In the display data 204, for example, the electricity bill E and theaverage electricity bill Eav are expressed by the numbers of circularimages, whereby one circular image represents 1,000 yen. In addition,the electricity bill difference Ediff is expressed by using a differentcolor for circular images corresponding to the electricity billdifference Ediff from circular images corresponding to the averageelectricity bill Eav.

Moreover, display data may include an electricity bill corresponding toeach of a plurality of electric home appliances arranged in a residenceof a user. Hereinafter, a process of generating display data includingan electricity bill corresponding to each of a plurality of electrichome appliances arranged in a residence of a user will be described withreference to FIGS. 22 to 25.

FIG. 22 is a first flow chart illustrating details of a modification ofthe display data generation process according to the first embodiment ofthe present disclosure. FIG. 23 is a second flow chart illustratingdetails of a modification of the display data generation processaccording to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 24is a third flow chart illustrating details of a modification of thedisplay data generation process according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

First, in step S91, the display data generating unit 108 stores threedevice types D1, D2, and D3 in a descending order of estimated powerconsumption among estimated power consumption of all device typescalculated by the device selecting unit 106.

Next, in step S92, the display data generating unit 108 calculatesestimated electricity bills E1, E2 and E3 of the device types D1, D2,and D3 and a total estimated electricity bill Er of device types otherthan the device types D1, D2, and D3. The display data generating unit108 calculates the estimated electricity bills E1, E2, and E3 of thedevice types D1, D2, and D3 by multiplying respective estimated powerconsumption of the device types D1, D2, and D3 by a prescribedelectricity bill unit price. In addition, the display data generatingunit 108 calculates the electricity bill E for the present month of thereceived user ID by multiplying power consumption P for the presentmonth of the received user ID by the prescribed electricity bill unitprice. Furthermore, the display data generating unit 108 calculates thetotal estimated electricity bill Er of the other device types bysubtracting the estimated electricity bills E1, E2, and E3 from theelectricity bill E.

Next, in step S93, the display data generating unit 108 selects a firstuser ID from comparison target households selected by the comparisontarget household selecting unit 104.

Next, in step S94, the display data generating unit 108 acquires arecord including the selected user ID from the device use historydatabase 114.

Next, in step S95, the display data generating unit 108 selects a firstdevice type d from the acquired record.

Next, in step S96, the display data generating unit 108 selects a firstdevice ID belonging to the selected device type d.

Next, in step S97, the display data generating unit 108 acquires all usetimes in the present month of a device corresponding to the selecteddevice ID.

Next, in step S98, the display data generating unit 108 adds allacquired use times in the present month to a total use time Tdindicating a sum of use times of each device type. Moreover, the usetime Td is temporarily stored in the RAM 23 for each device type. Thedisplay data generating unit 108 adds all acquired use times in thepresent month to the total use time Td stored in the RAM 23 and updatesthe total use time Td stored in the RAM 23.

Next, in step S99, the display data generating unit 108 determineswhether the selected device ID is a last device ID in the selecteddevice type d. When it is determined that the selected device ID is notthe last device ID in the selected device type d (NO in step S99), instep S100, the display data generating unit 108 selects a next device IDbelonging to the selected device type d. Subsequently, the display datagenerating unit 108 returns to the process of step S97 and performsprocesses of step S97 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the selected device ID isthe last device ID in the selected device type d (YES in step S99), instep S101, the display data generating unit 108 selects reference powerconsumption Psd corresponding to the selected device type d from thereference power consumption database 113.

Next, in step S102, the display data generating unit 108 calculatesestimated power consumption Pd of the selected device type d and addsthe calculated estimated power consumption Pd to the already-storedestimated power consumption Pd. The display data generating unit 108calculates the estimated power consumption Pd by multiplying the totaluse time Td of the selected device type d with the reference powerconsumption Psd corresponding to the selected device type d. Thecalculated estimated power consumption Pd is temporarily stored in, forexample, the RAM 23. The display data generating unit 108 adds thecalculated estimated power consumption Pd to the calculated estimatedpower consumption Pd stored in the RAM 23 and updates the estimatedpower consumption Pd stored in the RAM 23.

Next, in step S103, the display data generating unit 108 determineswhether or not the selected device type d is a last device type in theacquired record. When it is determined that the selected device type dis not the last device type in the acquired record (NO in step S103), instep S104, the display data generating unit 108 calculates averageestimated power consumption Pdav of the device type d by dividing thestored estimated power consumption Pd with the number of comparisontarget households and stores the calculated average estimated powerconsumption Pdav. The calculated average estimated power consumptionPdav is temporarily stored for each device type in, for example, the RAM23.

Next, in step S105, the display data generating unit 108 selects a nextdevice type d from the acquired record. Subsequently, the display datagenerating unit 108 returns to the process of step S96 and performsprocesses of step S96 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the selected device type dis the last device type in the acquired record (YES in step S103), instep S106, the display data generating unit 108 determines whether ornot the selected user ID is a last user ID in the comparison targethouseholds. When it is determined that the selected user ID is not thelast user ID in the comparison target households (NO in step S106), instep S107, the display data generating unit 108 selects a next user IDfrom the comparison target households. Subsequently, the display datagenerating unit 108 returns to the process of step S94 and performsprocesses of step S94 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the selected user ID isthe last user ID in the comparison target households (YES in step S106),in step S108, the display data generating unit 108 stores three devicetypes D1av, D2av, and D3av in a descending order of average estimatedpower consumption Pdav among all stored average estimated powerconsumption Pdav.

Next, in step S109, the display data generating unit 108 calculatesaverage estimated electricity bills E1av, E2av, and E3av of the devicetypes D1av, D2av, and D3av and a total average estimated electricitybill Erav of device types other than the device types D1av, D2av, andD3av. The display data generating unit 108 calculates the averageestimated electricity bills E1av, E2av, and E3av of the device typesD1av, D2av, and D3av by multiplying respective average estimated powerconsumption of the device types D1av, D2av, and D3av by a prescribedelectricity bill unit price. In addition, the display data generatingunit 108 calculates the average electricity bill Eav for the presentmonth of the comparison target households by multiplying the averagepower consumption Pav of all comparison target households by theprescribed electricity bill unit price. Furthermore, the display datagenerating unit 108 calculates the total average estimated electricitybill Erav of the other device types by subtracting the average estimatedelectricity bills E1av, E2av, and E3av from the average electricity billEav.

Next, in step S110, the display data generating unit 108 calculates anelectricity bill E for the present month of the user ID received by thecommunicating unit 101. The display data generating unit 108 calculatesthe electricity bill E for the present month of the received user ID bymultiplying power consumption P in the present month corresponding tothe received user ID by a prescribed electricity bill unit price.

Next, in step S111, the display data generating unit 108 calculates anaverage electricity bill Eav for the present month of comparison targethouseholds. The display data generating unit 108 calculates the averageelectricity bill Eav for the present month of the comparison targethouseholds by multiplying the average power consumption Pav of allcomparison target households by the prescribed electricity bill unitprice. Moreover, when the average electricity bill Eav has already beencalculated in step S109, the process of step S111 may be omitted.Alternatively, the display data generating unit 108 may perform theprocess of step S111 before step S109.

Since processes of steps S112 to S114 are the same as the processes ofsteps S83 to S85 shown in FIG. 17, a description thereof will beomitted.

Next, in step S115, the display data generating unit 108 generatesdisplay data that respectively applies the power consumption P, theelectricity bill E, the average power consumption Pav, the averageelectricity bill Eav, the power consumption difference Pdiff, theelectricity bill difference Ediff, the estimated used device D, theestimated use time T, the device types D1, D2, and D3, the estimatedelectricity bills E1 E2 and E3, the total estimated electricity bill Er,the device types D1av, D2av, and D3av, the average estimated electricitybills E1av, E2av, and E3av, and the total average estimated electricitybill Erav to the acquired first display data template. Subsequently, thedisplay data generating unit 108 ends the display data generationprocess.

Since processes of steps S116 and S117 are the same as the processes ofsteps S87 and S88 shown in FIG. 17, a description thereof will beomitted.

Next, in step S118, the display data generating unit 108 generatesdisplay data that respectively applies the power consumption P, theelectricity bill E, the average power consumption Pav, the averageelectricity bill Eav, the power consumption difference Pdiff, theelectricity bill difference Ediff, the device types D1, D2, and D3, theestimated electricity bills E1, E2 and E3, the total estimatedelectricity bill Er, the device types D1av, D2av, and D3av, the averageestimated electricity bills E1av, E2av, and E3av, and the total averageestimated electricity bill Erav to the acquired second display datatemplate. Subsequently, the display data generating unit 108 ends thedisplay data generation process.

Moreover, while three device types are displayed in a descending orderof estimated power consumption in the example described above, thepresent disclosure is not particularly limited thereto. Alternatively,two device types may be displayed in a descending order of estimatedpower consumption, or four or more device types may be displayed in adescending order of estimated power consumption.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of display data including anelectricity bill corresponding to each of a plurality of electric homeappliances according to the present first embodiment. Moreover, displaydata 205 shown in FIG. 25 is display data that is generated when powerconsumption P is higher than average power consumption Pav.

In the display data 205 shown in FIG. 25, power consumption P, anelectricity bill E, average power consumption Pav, an averageelectricity bill Eav, a power consumption difference Pdiff, anelectricity bill difference Ediff, an estimated used device D, anestimated use time T, device types D1, D2, and D3, estimated electricitybills E1, E2 and E3, a total estimated electricity bill Er, device typesD1av, D2av, and D3av, average estimated electricity bills E1av, E2av,and E3av, and a total average estimated electricity bill Erav arerespectively applied to a first display data template 305.

The first display data template 305 shown in FIG. 25 differs from thefirst display data template 301 shown in FIG. 18 in that the devicetypes D1, D2, and D3, the estimated electricity bills E1, E2, and E3.the total estimated electricity bill Er, the device types D1av, D2av,and D3av, the average estimated electricity bills E1av, E2av, and E3av,and the total average estimated electricity bill Erav are displayed. Theestimated electricity bills E1, E2, and E3 of the device types D1, D2,and D3 are displayed as a breakdown of the electricity bill E, and thetotal estimated electricity bill Er of device types other than thedevice types D1, D2, and D3 is displayed. In addition, the averageestimated electricity bills E1av, E2av, and E3av of the device typesD1av, D2av, and D3av are displayed as a breakdown of the averageelectricity bill Eav, and the total average estimated electricity billErav of device types other than the device types D1av, D2av, and D3av isdisplayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 25, “air conditioner” is applied as thedevice type D1, “lighting fixture” is applied as the device type D2,“refrigerator” is applied as the device type D3, “1,820” (yen) isapplied as the estimated electricity bill E1, “1,484” (yen) is appliedas the estimated electricity bill E2, “1,424” (yen) is applied as theestimated electricity bill E3, and “5,392” (yen) is applied as the totalestimated electricity bill Er. In addition, “air conditioner” is appliedas the device type D1av, “refrigerator” is applied as the device typeD2av, “lighting fixture” is applied as the device type D3av, “1,420”(yen) is applied as the average estimated electricity bill E1av, “1,320”(yen) is applied as the average estimated electricity bill E2av, “1,250”(yen) is applied as the average estimated electricity bill E3av, and“2,720” (yen) is applied as the total average estimated electricity billErav.

Moreover, while an electric home appliance of a type with highest powerusage among electric home appliances corresponding to first user ID in aprescribed period is selected in the device selection process accordingto the present first embodiment, the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. Alternatively, an electric home appliance of a type with alongest use time among electric home appliances corresponding to thefirst user ID in the prescribed period may be selected in the deviceselection process. Hereinafter, a device selection process in which anelectric home appliance of a type with a longest use time is selectedamong electric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID in aprescribed period will be described with reference to FIG. 26.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating details of a modification of thedevice selection process according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Since processes of steps S191 to S197 are the same as the processes ofsteps S51 to S57 shown in FIG. 15, a description thereof will beomitted.

When it is determined that a selected device ID is a last device ID in aselected device type d (YES in step S196), in step S198. the deviceselecting unit 106 determines whether or not the selected device type dis a last device type in an acquired record. When it is determined thatthe selected device type d is not the last device type in the acquiredrecord (NO in step S198). in step S199. the device selecting unit 106selects a next device type in the acquired record.

Subsequently, the device selecting unit 106 returns to the process ofstep S193 and performs processes of step S193 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the selected device type dis the last device type in the acquired record (YES in step S198), instep S200, the device selecting unit 106 compares a total use time Td ofall device types and selects a device type d with a longest total usetime Td as the estimated used device D. Subsequently, the deviceselecting unit 106 ends the device selection process.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, display data is generated which indicates thata differential value between power usage corresponding to first user IDand power usage corresponding to second user ID in a prescribed periodcorresponds to an estimated use time (a first conversion value) that isgenerated by converting the differential value to a use time of anestimated used device (an electric home appliance of a first type).However, when the estimated use time is significantly long, a user maynot be able to realize how long the estimated use time is.

In consideration thereof, in the second embodiment, a differential valuebetween power usage corresponding to first user ID and power usagecorresponding to second user ID in a prescribed period is converted torespective estimated use times of a plurality of types of electric homeappliances.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a software configuration of a server 2according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

The server 2 shown in FIG. 27 includes a communicating unit 101, a userinformation managing unit 102, a power consumption data managing unit103, a comparison target household selecting unit 104, a powerconsumption comparing unit 105, a device selecting unit 106, anestimated use time calculating unit 121, a display data generating unit122, a user information database 111, a power consumption historydatabase 112, a reference power consumption database 113, a device usehistory database 114, and a display data template database 115.

Moreover, a configuration of an information management system accordingto the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of theinformation management system according to the first embodiment. Inaddition, components of the server 2 according to the second embodimentthat are the same as those of the server 2 according to the firstembodiment will be denoted by same reference numerals and a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

The estimated use time calculating unit 121 generates a secondconversion value by converting a portion of a differential value to ause time of an electric home appliance of a first type when a firstconversion value exceeds a prescribed upper limit value. In addition,the estimated use time calculating unit 121 generates a third conversionvalue by converting the remaining portion of the differential value to ause time of an electric home appliance of a second type among theelectric home appliances corresponding to first user ID.

Moreover, the electric home appliance of the first type includes anelectric home appliance of a type with highest power usage among theelectric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID in theprescribed period. In addition, the electric home appliance of thesecond type includes an electric home appliance of a type with secondhighest power usage among the electric home appliances corresponding tothe first user ID in the prescribed period.

Furthermore, the electric home appliance of the first type favorablyincludes an air conditioner, a television set, or a lighting fixture. Inaddition, when the electric home appliance of the first type is any ofan air conditioner, a television set, and a lighting fixture, theelectric home appliance of the second type favorably includes any of anair conditioner, a television set, and a lighting fixture that does notoverlap with the electric home appliance of the first type.

The display data generating unit 122 generates display data indicatingthat the differential value between power usage corresponding to firstuser ID and power usage corresponding to second user ID in theprescribed period corresponds to the second conversion value that isgenerated by converting a portion of the differential value to a usetime of the electric home appliance of the first type and a thirdconversion value that is generated by converting the remaining portionof the differential value to a use time of the electric home applianceof the second type.

In addition, the display data generating unit 122 generates display dataindicating that a first electricity bill value corresponding to thedifferential value between power usage corresponding to second user IDand power usage corresponding to first user ID in the prescribed periodcorresponds to the second conversion value that is generated byconverting a portion of the differential value to a use time of theelectric home appliance of the first type and a third conversion valuethat is generated by converting the remaining portion of thedifferential value to a use time of the electric home appliance of thesecond type.

The display data template database 115 stores a first display datatemplate that is displayed when a first cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to first user ID among a plurality of user IDs in aprescribed period is greater than a second cumulative value of powerusage corresponding to second user ID among the plurality of user IDs ina same period as the prescribed period and exceeds a prescribed upperlimit value, a second display data template that is displayed when thefirst cumulative value is equal to or smaller than the second cumulativevalue, and a third display data template that is displayed when thefirst cumulative value is greater than the second cumulative value butdoes not exceed the prescribed upper limit value.

An outline of processes of the server 2 according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure is the same as the outline ofprocesses of the server 2 according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure shown in FIG. 11. Hereinafter, an estimated use timecalculation process and a display data generation process which differfrom the first embodiment will be described.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart illustrating details of the estimated use timecalculation process according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

First, in step S141, the estimated use time calculating unit 121acquires reference power consumption Ps corresponding to an estimatedused device D selected by the device selecting unit 106 from thereference power consumption database 113 and stores the acquiredreference power consumption Ps. The acquired reference power consumptionPs is temporarily stored in, for example, the RAM 23.

Next, in step S142, the estimated use time calculating unit 121calculates a power consumption difference Pdiff that is a differentialvalue between power consumption P in the present month corresponding tothe received user ID and average power consumption Pav of all comparisontarget households and stores the calculated power consumption differencePdiff. The estimated use time calculating unit 121 calculates the powerconsumption difference Pdiff by subtracting the average powerconsumption Pav of all comparison target households from the powerconsumption P in the present month corresponding to the received userID. The calculated power consumption difference Pdiff is temporarilystored in, for example, the RAM 23.

Next, in step S143, the estimated use time calculating unit 121calculates an estimated use time T by dividing the calculated powerconsumption difference Pdiff by the acquired reference power consumptionPs and stores the calculated estimated use time T. The calculatedestimated use time T is temporarily stored in, for example, the RAM 23.

Next, in step S144, the estimated use time calculating unit 121determines whether or not the calculated estimated use time T is longerthan a prescribed threshold period Tth. The prescribed threshold periodTth is, for example, 720 hours. The prescribed threshold period Tth isstored in the storage unit 27 in advance. When it is determined that thecalculated estimated use time T is equal to or shorter than theprescribed threshold period Tth (NO in step S144), the estimated usetime calculating unit 121 ends the estimated use time calculationprocess.

Moreover, for example, the prescribed threshold period Tth is favorablya period over which the estimated used device D had been used in onemonth (prescribed period). The prescribed threshold period Tth may be,for example, a period over which the estimated used device D had beenused in the present month or the previous month. In addition, theprescribed threshold period Tth may be a period over which the estimatedused device D had been used in the same month as the present month ayear ago. Furthermore, the prescribed threshold period Tth may be anaverage of periods over which the estimated used device D had been usedin the respective months in one year.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the estimated use time Tis longer than the prescribed threshold period Tth (YES in step S144),in step S145, the estimated use time calculating unit 121 subtractsestimated power consumption in a case where the estimated used device Dhas been used over the prescribed threshold period Tth (reference powerconsumption Ps x prescribed threshold period Tth) from the powerconsumption difference Pdiff and stores the value obtained by thesubtraction as a new power consumption difference Pdiff. The calculatednew power consumption difference Pdiff is temporarily stored in, forexample, the RAM 23.

Next, in step S146, the estimated use time calculating unit 121 selectsa device type with estimated power consumption in the present month thatis next highest to the currently selected estimated used device D fromestimated power consumption of all device types selected by the deviceselecting unit 106 as a new estimated used device D and stores the newestimated used device D. The selected new estimated used device D istemporarily stored in, for example, the RAM 23.

Next, in step S147, the estimated use time calculating unit 121 acquiresreference power consumption Ps corresponding to the selected newestimated used device D from the reference power consumption database113 and stores the acquired reference power consumption Ps. The acquiredreference power consumption Ps is temporarily stored in, for example,the RAM 23. Subsequently, the estimated use time calculating unit 121returns to the process of step S143 and performs processes of step S143and subsequent steps.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating details of the display datageneration process according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Since processes of steps S151 to S153 are the same as the processes ofsteps S81 to S83 shown in FIG. 17, a description thereof will beomitted.

When it is determined in step S153 that power consumption P is higherthan average power consumption Pav (YES in step S153), the display datagenerating unit 122 determines whether or not an estimated use time T islonger than the prescribed threshold period Tth. When it is determinedthat the estimated use time T is equal to or shorter than the prescribedthreshold period Tth (NO in step S154), the display data generating unit122 acquires a first display data template that is displayed when thepower consumption P is higher than the average power consumption Pav andthe estimated use time T is equal to or shorter than the prescribedthreshold period Tth from the display data template database 115 in stepS155. Moreover, the first display data template is the same as the firstdisplay data template described in the first embodiment.

Since processes of steps S156 and S157 are the same as the processes ofsteps S85 and S86 shown in FIG. 17, a description thereof will beomitted.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the estimated use time Tis longer than the prescribed threshold period Tth (YES in step S154),in step S158, the display data generating unit 122 acquires a thirddisplay data template that is displayed when the power consumption P ishigher than the average power consumption Pav and the estimated use timeT is longer than the prescribed threshold period Tth from the displaydata template database 115.

Next, in step S159, the display data generating unit 122 calculates apower consumption difference Pdiff that is a differential value betweenthe power consumption P corresponding to the received user ID and theaverage power consumption Pav corresponding to the user IDs of thecomparison target households and an electricity bill difference Ediffthat is a differential value between the electricity bill E for thepresent month of the received user ID and the average electricity billEav for the present month of the comparison target households. Thedisplay data generating unit 122 calculates the power consumptiondifference Pdiff by subtracting the average power consumption Pavcorresponding to the user IDs of the comparison target households fromthe power consumption P corresponding to the received user ID. Inaddition, the display data generating unit 122 calculates theelectricity bill difference Ediff by subtracting the average electricitybill Eav for the present month of the comparison target households fromthe electricity bill E for the present month of the received user ID.

Next, in step S160, the display data generating unit 122 generatesdisplay data that respectively applies the power consumption P, theelectricity bill E, the average power consumption Pav, the averageelectricity bill Eav, the power consumption difference Pdiff, theelectricity bill difference Ediff, all estimated used devices D, theprescribed threshold period Tth, and an estimated use time T of a lastselected estimated used device to the acquired third display datatemplate. Subsequently, the display data generating unit 122 ends thedisplay data generation process.

Since processes of steps S161 to S163 are the same as the processes ofsteps S87 to S89 shown in FIG. 17, a description thereof will beomitted.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of display data that isgenerated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav and an estimated use time T is longer than theprescribed threshold period Tth according to the present secondembodiment.

In display data 206 shown in FIG. 30, power consumption P, anelectricity bill E, average power consumption Pav, an averageelectricity bill Eav, a power consumption difference Pdiff, anelectricity bill difference Ediff, estimated used devices Dx1 and Dx2, aprescribed threshold period Tth, and an estimated use time T arerespectively applied to a third display data template 306.

Moreover, the estimated used device Dx1 is a device type with highestestimated power consumption and the estimated used device Dx2 is adevice type with second highest estimated power consumption. Theestimated use time T is an estimated use time of the estimated useddevice Dx2. In addition, the prescribed threshold period Tth is set to,for example, 720 hours.

For example, the third display data template 306 includes texts reading“Compare this month's electricity bill with everyone else” and “You areusing a month's worth (BBBB hours) of electricity on AAAA and DDDDhours' worth of electricity on CCCC more than everyone else. Let'sreview how you are using electricity!” The estimated used device Dx1with the highest estimated power consumption is applied to “AAAA” andthe prescribed threshold period Tth is applied to “BBBB”. In addition,the estimated used device Dx2 with the second highest estimated powerconsumption is applied to “CCCC” and the estimated use time T of theestimated used device Dx2 selected last is applied to “DDDD”.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 30, “460” (kWh) is applied asthe power consumption P, “10,120” (yen) is applied as the electricitybill E, “365” (kWh) is applied as the average power consumption Pav,“8,030” (yen) is applied as the average electricity bill Eav, “95” (kWh)is applied as the power consumption difference Pdiff, and “2,090” (yen)is applied as the electricity bill difference Ediff.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 30, an air conditioner isselected as the estimated used device Dx1 with the highest estimatedpower consumption and a refrigerator is selected as the estimated useddevice Dx2 with the second highest estimated power consumption.Therefore, “air conditioner” is applied as the estimated used deviceDx1, “720” (hours) is applied as the prescribed threshold period Tth,“refrigerator” is applied as the estimated used device Dx2, and “41”(hours) is applied as the estimated use time T.

As shown, since a differential value between power usage correspondingto first user ID and power usage corresponding to second user ID in aprescribed period is converted to respective estimated use times of aplurality of types of electric home appliances, the user can realize howlong the estimated use times are.

Moreover, while an electric home appliance with the highest powerconsumption and an electric home appliance with the second highest powerconsumption among electric home appliances corresponding to first userID in a prescribed period are selected in the device selection processand the estimated use time calculation process according to the presentsecond embodiment, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.Alternatively, an electric home appliance with a longest use time and anelectric home appliance with a second longest use time among theelectric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID in theprescribed period may be selected in the device selection process andthe estimated use time calculation process. A device selection processin which an electric home appliance of a type with a longest use time isselected among electric home appliances corresponding to first user IDin a prescribed period is the same as the device selection process shownin FIG. 26.

Hereinafter, an estimated use time calculation process in which anelectric home appliance of a type with a longest use time and anelectric home appliance of a type with a second longest use time areselected among electric home appliances corresponding to first user IDin a prescribed period will be described with reference to FIG. 31.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart illustrating details of a modification of theestimated use time calculation process according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure.

Since processes of steps S231 to S235 are the same as the processes ofsteps S141 to S145 shown in FIG. 28, a description thereof will beomitted.

Next, in step S236, the estimated use time calculating unit 121 selectsa device type with a total use time Td in the present month that is nextlongest to the currently selected estimated used device D from total usetimes Td of all device types selected by the device selecting unit 106as a new estimated used device D and stores the new estimated useddevice D. The selected new estimated used device D is temporarily storedin, for example, the RAM 23.

Since a process of step S237 is the same as the process of step S147shown in FIG. 28, a description thereof will be omitted.

Moreover, while a differential value between power usage correspondingto first user ID and power usage corresponding to second user ID in aprescribed period is converted to respective estimated use times of twotypes of electric home appliances in the second embodiment, the presentdisclosure is not particularly limited thereto and the differentialvalue may alternatively be converted to respective estimated use timesof three or more types of electric home appliances.

Third Embodiment

For example, use of an air conditioner and a lighting fixture can be cutdown for the purpose of achieving energy conservation. However, forexample, since a refrigerator is constantly running, it is impossible tocut down on use of a refrigerator. Therefore. when an electric homeappliance such as a refrigerator whose use time cannot be reduced isselected as an estimated used device and an estimated use time of therefrigerator is displayed, a user cannot realize how long the estimateduse time is.

In consideration thereof, in the third embodiment, electric homeappliances whose use time cannot be reduced are excluded from selectionobjects.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a software configuration of a server 2according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

The server 2 shown in FIG. 32 includes a communicating unit 101, a userinformation managing unit 102, a power consumption data managing unit103, a comparison target household selecting unit 104, a powerconsumption comparing unit 105, a device selecting unit 106, anestimated use time calculating unit 121, a display data generating unit122, a user information database 111, a power consumption historydatabase 112, a reference power consumption database 113, a device usehistory database 114, a display data template database 115, and anon-selected device database 116.

Moreover, a configuration of an information management system accordingto the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of theinformation management systems according to the first and secondembodiments. In addition, components of the server 2 according to thethird embodiment that are the same as those of the server 2 according tothe first and second embodiments will be denoted by same referencenumerals and a description thereof will be omitted.

The non-selected device database 116 stores a non-selected device flagthat indicates whether or not a device type is selectable as an electrichome appliance of a first type whose use time is to be a target ofconversion of a differential value. An estimated used device (theelectric home appliance of the first type) does not include an electrichome appliance of a type whose power-on state continues all day. Anelectric home appliances of a type whose power-on state continues allday includes, for example, a refrigerator.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a non-selected device flagstored in a non-selected device database. As shown in FIG. 33, thenon-selected device database 116 stores a device type and a non-selecteddevice flag that indicates whether or not a device type is selectable asan estimated used device in association with each other.

A non-selected device flag with a value of “0” is associated with adevice type that is selectable as an estimated used device and anon-selected device flag with a value of “1” is associated with a devicetype that is not selectable as an estimated used device.

In the example shown in FIG. 33, a non-selected device flagcorresponding to a refrigerator has a value of “1” indicating that arefrigerator cannot be selected as an estimated used device whilenon-selected device flags corresponding to an air conditioner, alighting fixture, and a television set have a value of “0” indicatingthat the appliances can be selected as estimated used devices.

An outline of processes of the server 2 according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure is the same as the outline ofprocesses of the server 2 according to the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure shown in FIG. 11, and a display data generationprocess of the server 2 according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure is the same as the display data generation process of theserver 2 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosureshown in FIG. 29. Hereinafter, an estimated use time calculation processthat differs from the first and second embodiments will be described.

FIG. 34 is a first flow chart illustrating details of the estimated usetime calculation process according to the third embodiment of thepresent disclosure, and FIG. 35 is a second flow chart illustratingdetails of the estimated use time calculation process according to thethird embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, in step S171, the estimated use time calculating unit 121acquires a value of a non-selected device flag corresponding to anestimated used device D selected by the device selecting unit 106 fromthe non-selected device database 116.

Next, in step S172, the estimated use time calculating unit 121determines whether or not the value of the acquired non-selected deviceflag is 1. When it is determined that the value of the acquirednon-selected device flag is 1 (YES in step S172), in step S173, theestimated use time calculating unit 121 selects a device type withestimated power consumption in the present month that is next highest tothe currently selected estimated used device D from estimated powerconsumption of all device types selected by the device selecting unit106 as a new estimated used device D and stores the new estimated useddevice D. The selected new estimated used device D is temporarily storedin, for example, the RAM 23. Subsequently, the estimated use timecalculating unit 121 returns to the process of step S171 and performsprocesses of step S171 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of thenon-selected device flag is not 1 or, in other words, when it isdetermined that the value of the non-selected device flag is 0 (NO instep S172), in step S174, the estimated use time calculating unit 121acquires reference power consumption Ps corresponding to the currentlyselected estimated used device D from the reference power consumptiondatabase 113 and stores the acquired reference power consumption Ps. Theacquired reference power consumption Ps is temporarily stored in. forexample, the RAM 23.

Since processes of steps S175 to S179 are the same as the processes ofsteps S142 to S146 shown in FIG. 28, a description thereof will beomitted.

Next, in step S180, the estimated use time calculating unit 121 acquiresa value of a non-selected device flag corresponding to the selected newestimated used device D from the non-selected device database 116.

Next, in step S181, the estimated use time calculating unit 121determines whether or not the value of the acquired non-selected deviceflag is 1. When it is determined that the value of the non-selecteddevice flag is 1 (YES in step S181), the estimated use time calculatingunit 121 returns to the process of step S179 and performs the processesof step S179 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the value of thenon-selected device flag is not 1 or, in other words, when it isdetermined that the value of the non-selected device flag is 0 (NO instep S181), in step S182, the estimated use time calculating unit 121acquires reference power consumption Ps corresponding to the selectednew estimated used device D from the reference power consumptiondatabase 113 and stores the acquired reference power consumption Ps. Theacquired reference power consumption Ps is temporarily stored in, forexample, the RAM 23. Subsequently, the estimated use time calculatingunit 121 returns to the process of step S176 and performs processes ofstep S176 and subsequent steps.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of display data that isgenerated when power consumption P is higher than average powerconsumption Pav and an estimated use time T is longer than theprescribed threshold period Tth according to the present thirdembodiment.

In display data 207 shown in FIG. 36, power consumption P, anelectricity bill E, average power consumption Pav, an averageelectricity bill Eav, a power consumption difference Pdiff, anelectricity bill difference Ediff, estimated used devices Dx1 and Dx3, aprescribed threshold period Tth, and an estimated use time T arerespectively applied to a third display data template 307.

Moreover, the estimated used device Dx1 is a device type with highestestimated power consumption and the estimated used device Dx3 is adevice type with third highest estimated power consumption. Theestimated use time T is an estimated use time of the estimated useddevice Dx3. In addition, the prescribed threshold period Tth is set to,for example, 720 hours.

For example, the third display data template 307 includes texts reading“Compare this month's electricity bill with everyone else” and “You areusing a month's worth (BBBB hours) of electricity on AAAA and DDDDhours' worth of electricity on CCCC more than everyone else. Let'sreview how you are using electricity!” The estimated used device Dx1with the highest estimated power consumption is applied to “AAAA” andthe prescribed threshold period Tth is applied to “BBBB”. In addition.the estimated used device Dx3 with the third highest estimated powerconsumption is applied to “CCCC” and the estimated use time T of theestimated used device Dx3 selected last is applied to “DDDD”.

Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 36, “460” (kWh) is applied asthe power consumption P, “10,120” (yen) is applied as the electricitybill E, “365” (kWh) is applied as the average power consumption Pav,“8,030” (yen) is applied as the average electricity bill Eav, “95” (kWh)is applied as the power consumption difference Pdiff, and “2,090” (yen)is applied as the electricity bill difference Ediff.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 36, an air conditioner isselected as the estimated used device Dx1 with the highest estimatedpower consumption, a refrigerator is selected as an estimated useddevice Dx2 with second highest estimated power consumption, and atelevision set is selected as the estimated used device Dx3 with thethird highest estimated power consumption. Although the estimated powerconsumption of the refrigerator is second highest, since thenon-selected device flag of the refrigerator is set to 1, therefrigerator is not applied to the third display data template 307 as anestimated used device.

Therefore, “air conditioner” is applied as the estimated used deviceDx1, “720” (hours) is applied as the prescribed threshold period Tth,“television set” is applied as the estimated used device Dx3, and “14”(hours) is applied as the estimated use time T.

As shown, since a differential value between power usage correspondingto first user ID and power usage corresponding to second user ID in aprescribed period is not converted to an estimated use time of anelectric home appliance of a type whose power-on state continues allday, the user can more realize how long the estimated use times are.

Moreover, while an electric home appliance with the highest powerconsumption and an electric home appliance with the second highest powerconsumption among selectable electric home appliances corresponding tofirst user ID in a prescribed period are selected in the deviceselection process and the estimated use time calculation processaccording to the present third embodiment, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto. Alternatively, an electric home appliance with alongest use time and an electric home appliance with a second longestuse time among the selectable electric home appliances corresponding tothe first user ID in the prescribed period may be selected in the deviceselection process and the estimated use time calculation process. Adevice selection process in which an electric home appliance of a typewith the longest use time is selected among electric home appliancescorresponding to first user ID in a prescribed period is the same as thedevice selection process shown in FIG. 26.

Hereinafter, an estimated use time calculation process in which anelectric home appliance of a type with a longest use time and anelectric home appliance of a type with a second longest use time areselected among selectable electric home appliances corresponding tofirst user ID in a prescribed period will be described with reference toFIGS. 37 and 38.

FIG. 37 is a first flow chart illustrating details of a modification ofthe estimated use time calculation process according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 38 is a second flow chartillustrating details of a modification of the estimated use timecalculation process according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Since processes of steps S211 and S212 are the same as the processes ofsteps S171 and S172 shown in FIG. 34, a description thereof will beomitted.

When it is determined that a value of the non-selected device flag is 1(YES in step S212), in step S213, the estimated use time calculatingunit 121 selects a device type with a total use time Td in the presentmonth that is next longest to the currently selected estimated useddevice D from total used times Td of all device types selected by thedevice selecting unit 106 as a new estimated used device D and storesthe new estimated used device D. The selected new estimated used deviceD is temporarily stored in, for example, the RAM 23. Subsequently, theestimated use time calculating unit 121 returns to the process of stepS211 and performs processes of step S211 and subsequent steps.

Since processes of steps S214 to S218 are the same as the processes ofsteps S174 to S178 shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, a description thereof willbe omitted.

Next, in step S219, the estimated use time calculating unit 121 selectsa device type with a total use time Td in the present month that is nextlongest to the currently selected estimated used device D from total usetimes Td of all device types selected by the device selecting unit 106as a new estimated used device D and stores the new estimated useddevice D. The selected new estimated used device D is temporarily storedin, for example, the RAM 23.

Since processes of steps S220 to S222 are the same as the processes ofsteps S180 to S182 shown in FIG. 35, a description thereof will beomitted.

The specific embodiments and examples set forth in the section titledDescription of Embodiments are merely intended to elucidate thetechnical details of the present disclosure and, as such, the presentdisclosure should not be narrowly interpreted as being limited to suchspecific examples. It is to be understood that various changes andmodifications can be made to the present disclosure without departingfrom the spirit thereof and from the scope of the subjoined claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The method for providing information, the information management system,and the information terminal device according to the present disclosureare capable of prompting a user to engage in energy conservation and areuseful as a method for providing information, an information managementsystem, and an information terminal device for managing informationrelated to usage of an electric home appliance in association with auser ID.

1. A method for providing information in an information managementsystem that manages log information related to electric home appliancesin association with each of a plurality of user IDs, the methodcomprising: inputting, via a network, information indicating power usagecorresponding to each of the plurality of user IDs; generating adifferential value between i) a first cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to a first user ID among the plurality of user IDs in aprescribed period and ii) a second cumulative value of power usagecorresponding to a second user ID among the plurality of user IDs in asame period as the prescribed period; generating a first conversionvalue by converting the differential value to a use time of an electrichome appliance corresponding to a first type among electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID; generating a firstelectricity bill value by converting the differential value to anelectricity bill; generating display data indicating that the firstelectricity bill value corresponding to a difference between i) thefirst cumulative power usage corresponding to the first user ID and ii)the second cumulative power usage corresponding to the second user ID inthe prescribed period corresponds to the first conversion value that isgenerated by converting the differential value to the use time of theelectric home appliance corresponding to the first type; andtransmitting the display data to an information terminal devicecorresponding to the first user ID.
 2. The method according to claim 1,wherein the display data is generated when the first cumulative value islarger than the second cumulative value.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the display data includes the first cumulative valueand the second cumulative value.
 4. The method according to claim 1,further comprising: generating a second electricity bill value byconverting the first cumulative value to an electricity bill; andgenerating a third electricity bill value by converting the secondcumulative value to an electricity bill, wherein the display dataincludes the second electricity bill value and the third electricitybill value.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a residencecorresponding to the second user ID is located within a prescribed rangefrom a residence corresponding to the first user ID.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein a composition of residents in a residencecorresponding to the second user ID is the same as a composition ofresidents in a residence corresponding to the first user ID.
 7. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein a layout of a residencecorresponding to the second user ID is the same as a layout of aresidence corresponding to the first user ID.
 8. The method accordingclaim 1, wherein the second user ID is associated with a plurality ofsecond user IDs, and the second cumulative value is obtained byaveraging cumulative values of power usage of electric home appliancescorresponding to the plurality of second user IDs in the prescribedperiod.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electric homeappliance of the first type includes an electric home appliance of atype with highest power usage among the electric home appliancescorresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the electric home appliance of thefirst type includes an electric home appliance of a type with a longestuse time among the electric home appliances corresponding to the firstuser ID in the prescribed period.
 11. The method according to claim 1,further comprising: obtaining a divided value by dividing thedifferential value using power consumption of the electric homeappliance of the first type, to use the obtained divided value as thefirst conversion value.
 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein theelectric home appliance of the first type includes one of an airconditioner, a television set, and a lighting fixture.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: generating, when the firstconversion value exceeds a prescribed upper limit value, a secondconversion value by converting a portion of the differential value tothe use time of the electric home appliance of the first type;generating a third conversion value by converting the remaining portionof the differential value to a use time of an electric home appliancecorresponding to a second type among the electric home appliancescorresponding to the first user ID; and generating display data whichindicates that the first electricity bill value corresponding to adifference between i) the first cumulative power usage corresponding tothe first user ID and ii) the second cumulative power usagecorresponding to the second user ID in the prescribed period correspondsto a) the second conversion value that is generated by converting aportion of the differential value to the use time of the electric homeappliance of the first type and to b) the third conversion value that isgenerated by converting the remaining portion of the differential valueto the use time of the electric home appliance of the second type. 14.The method according to claim 13, wherein the electric home appliance ofthe first type includes a first electric home appliance of a type withhighest power usage among the electric home appliances corresponding tothe first user ID in the prescribed period, and the electric homeappliance of the second type includes a second electric home applianceof a type with second highest power usage among the electric homeappliances corresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period.15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the electric homeappliance of the first type includes a first electric home appliance ofa type with a longest use time among the electric home appliancescorresponding to the first user ID in the prescribed period, and theelectric home appliance of the second type includes a second electrichome appliance of a type with a second longest use time among theelectric home appliances corresponding to the first user ID in theprescribed period.
 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein theelectric home appliance of the first type includes one of an airconditioner, a television set, and a lighting fixture, and when thefirst electric home appliance of the first type is any of the airconditioner, the television set, and the lighting fixture, the secondelectric home appliance of the second type includes any of the airconditioner, the television set, and the lighting fixture that does notoverlap with the electric home appliance of the first type.
 17. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed period includes onemonth.
 18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the prescribedperiod includes one week.
 19. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe log information related to the electric home appliance includesinformation indicating a use time of the electric home appliance. 20.The method according to claim 1, wherein the log information related tothe electric home appliance includes information indicating a use timeslot of the electric home appliance on each day.
 21. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the electric home appliance of the firsttype does not include an electric home appliance of a type in whichpower-on state continues all day.
 22. The method according to claim 21,wherein the electric home appliance of the type in which power-on statecontinues all day includes a refrigerator.